On October 5, 2017, a transgender Marine veteran was arrested as he exited his home on Pennsylvania Ave in Atlantic City. Daniel Smith, aka Danielle Demers, was charged with attempting to sell a high-powered rifle, 300 rounds of ammunition, and material capable of making five pipe bombs.

Smith, well known for local charity work, was arrested after leaving his apartment by members of the Atlantic City Police Department SWAT Team. The Atlantic City Police Department Bomb Squad recovered the pipe bomb materials.

Smith’s Pennsylvania Ave apartment is next door to the CRDA (Casino Reinvestment Development Authority).

Found at the scene was a Savage .30-06 rifle with a scope, more than 300 rounds of .30-06 ammunition, and the materials needed to make five pipe bombs.

Investigation also reports that Smith/Demers provided instructions on how to assemble a pipe bomb and noted that they should be filled with nails to act as shrapnel.

The Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section has been working closely with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Atlantic County Prosecutors Office and NJ Office of Homeland Security in furtherance of this investigation.

“I applaud the efforts of the Atlantic City Police Department and our partner agencies that assisted with the arrests and confiscation of the weapons and ammunition,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner. “This incident once again highlights the importance of the public’s role in reporting suspicious activity.”

ARRESTED: Danielle Demers aka Daniel Smith, a 37 year old from Atlantic City.

CHARGES: Unlawful possession of a destructive device, possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose, possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose, unlawful sale of a firearm, unlawfully teach another to use an explosive, and conspiracy.

ARRESTED: Nina House, a 31 year old female from Margate, NJ.

CHARGES: Unlawful possession of a destructive device, possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose, possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose, unlawful sale of a firearm, unlawfully teach another to use an explosive, and conspiracy.

Demers and House were remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

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