A 52-year-old man was sentenced today to 16 years in state prison for having an improvised explosive device that he planned to detonate at his ex-girlfriend's home, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Steven Mac said Vernon Russell Smith (dob 7/11/63) of Lancaster pleaded no contest on April 14 to one felony count of attempt to explode a destructive device with intent to injure.

Smith was pulled over by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy on Oct. 15, 2015, after making an illegal U-turn in the residential area of 10th Street West and Avenue H-12, the prosecutor said. The deputy discovered an explosive device made from a petroleum liquid, gun powder and laced with staples, the prosecutor added.

Further investigation determined the defendant planned to use the homemade bomb on his exgirlfriend and her husband.

Case MA067299 was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lancaster Station.

Los Angeles County District Attorney / case MA067299 / May 19, 2016