A 22-year-old Indiana man has been sentenced to seven years and four months in state prison after pleading no contest to illegal assault weapon activity and possession of explosive chemicals, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today.

James Wesley Howell was convicted yesterday of one count each of unlawful assault weapon activity, possession of a destructive device and malicious or reckless possession of a destructive device on a public street in a negotiated plea agreement. He was immediately sentenced by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kathryn A. Solorzano.

Santa Monica police arrested Howell on June 12, 2016, near 11th Street and Olympic Boulevard after finding an assault rifle and a container of explosive chemicals in his vehicle, according to court testimony.

Deputy District Attorney Samuel Hulefeld prosecuted case SA093159.

The Santa Monica Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.

Los Angeles District Attorney / case SA093159/ July 26, 2018