An ex-boyfriend and business partner of a woman who died when a device exploded inside her Aliso Viejo day spa was arrested early Thursday after authorities said they found two improvised explosive devices during a search this week of his Long Beach home.

Authorities emphasized that the federal charge filed against Stephen Beal, 59 — possession of an unregistered explosive device — is not directly related to events that led up to the powerful blast Tuesday that killed Ildiko Krajnyak, 48, and injured two other women.

But in an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, federal officials offered an array of new details about the explosion and its aftermath, and the connection between Beal and Krajnyak, who began a short-lived romantic relationship after meeting through an online dating site.

During the brief hearing at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana on Thursday afternoon, Beal appeared in street clothes – black jeans, a blue sweatshirt and tennis shoes – and answered in a clear voice when asked by a magistrate judge if he understood the charge he is facing:

“I understand what is written there, your honor,” he said.

He did not enter a plea, and is expected back in court on Monday.

Beal’s court-appointed attorney declined to comment after the hearing. A small group of supporters in attendance also declined to comment. The hearing scheduled for Monday will address whether Beal can be released from custody, or what bail will be set.

According to the affidavit written by an FBI agent, investigators found two completed improvised explosive devices, three firearms and chemicals and materials that could be used to build other IEDs during a search of Beal’s Long Beach home. The home was searched Wednesday along with other locations, including Krajnyak’s Trabuco Canyon residence, in Orange County.

Beal told investigators that the explosives were related to his hobby of making model rockets, according to the court filing, and said he didn’t have the materials needed to set off a large explosion. He acknowledged to agents that at one point he had made a smaller device to assist neighbors with a gopher problem.

An agent in a handwritten note in the complaint noted that the devices at Beal’s home were “not consistent with that of a model rocket.”

Ildiko Krajnyak, 48, was killed in an explosion at an Aliso Viejo office building where she owned a day spa. (Courtesy of Facebook)

Eva Boni, left, cousin of bombing victim Ildiko Krajnyak, cries as she listens to family friend Irene White, read a statement from Krajnyak’s family during a press conference in Trabuco Canyon, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Krajnyak was killed in an explosion on May 15. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Orange County Sheriff leave the Trabuco Canyon home of Ildiko Krajnyak the day after she was killed by a bomb blast in a medical plaza the day before in Aliso Viejo, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Eva Boni, right, cousin of bombing victim Ildiko Krajnyak, is comforted by family friend Irene White, after White read a statement from Krajnyak’s family during a press conference in Trabuco Canyon, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Krajnyak was killed in an explosion on May 15. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Investigators examine an area near a bomb blast in a medical plaza in Aliso Viejo, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



An FBI agent closes the trunk of a car after taking photos of the items inside as federal officers from multiple agencies including the Orange County Sheriff Department search a home in East Long Beach, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Law enforcement says it’s related to the Aliso Viejo explosion. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova/Press-Telegram)

An FBI agent, right, and other officers walk through the backyard as federal agents from multiple agencies including the Orange County Sheriff Department search a home in East Long Beach, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Law enforcement says itís related to the Aliso Viejo explosion. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova/Press-Telegram)

An FBI agent stands at the doorway as federal officers from multiple agencies including the Orange County Sheriff Department search a home in East Long Beach, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Law enforcement says it’s related to the Aliso Viejo explosion. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova/Press-Telegram)

Orange County Sheriff officers walk out of a home as federal officers from multiple agencies including the Orange County Sheriff Department search a home in East Long Beach, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Law enforcement says it’s related to the Aliso Viejo explosion. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova/Press-Telegram)

An agent talks on a phone while out front of a home as federal agents from multiple agencies including the Orange County Sheriff Department search the home in East Long Beach, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Law enforcement says it’s related to the Aliso Viejo explosion. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova/Press-Telegram)



Investigators examine an area near a bomb blast in a medical plaza in Aliso Viejo, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Video screen grab of FBI investigators removing items from the Trabuco Canyon home of a woman who was killed by a bomb blast in a medical plaza the day before in Aliso Viejo, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS/KCAL)

Video screen grab of FBI investigators removing items from the Trabuco Canyon home of a woman who was killed by a bomb blast in a medical plaza the day before in Aliso Viejo, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS/KCAL)

Video screen grab of FBI investigators removing items from the Trabuco Canyon home of a woman who was killed by a bomb blast in a medical plaza the day before in Aliso Viejo, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS/KCAL)

The Orange County hazmat team, bomb squad, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, investigate the scene of an explosion in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)



The Orange County hazmat team, bomb squad, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, investigate the scene of an explosion in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Stephanie Montessi is tearfully reunited with her daughter Madison, 1, who was evacuated from Academy on the Hill preschool after a nearby explosion. Children from the school were taken to Target a block away where they were claimed by their parents in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A deputy keeps watch as the Orange County hazmat team and bomb squad investigate the scene of an explosion in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A deputy stands watch as the Orange County hazmat team and bomb squad investigate the scene of an explosion in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A deputy and his bomb-sniffing dog check out the area near an explosion in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Eva Boni, left, cousin of bombing victim Ildiko Krajnyak, holds on to family friend Irene White, as White prepares to read a statement from Krajnyak’s family during a press conference in Trabuco Canyon, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Krajnyak was killed in an explosion on May 15. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Eva Boni, right, cousin of bombing victim Ildiko Krajnyak, is comforted by family friend Irene White, after White read a statement from Krajnyak’s family during a press conference in Trabuco Canyon, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Krajnyak was killed in an explosion on May 15. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County Sheriff leave the Trabuco Canyon home of Ildiko Krajnyak the day after she was killed by a bomb blast in a medical plaza the day before in Aliso Viejo, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

One of the other women injured in the blast told federal agents that the explosive was inside one of several cardboard boxes that were on the floor of the day spa, along with unopened mail, according to the affidavit. As soon as Krajnyak opened the box, it exploded. The victim recalled being thrown backwards onto the floor and seeing smoke and flames.

One of the witnesses told agents that she saw “everything on fire” after the explosion. Afterwards, investigators found a nine-volt battery, a cell phone, melted material believed to be duct tape and loose wires, according to the court filing.

Beal told investigators that he met Krajnyak through an online dating website in 2016, and dated her for about a year and a half. According to the affidavit, Beal said their relationship “began to cool due to disputes over the exclusivity of the relationship and financial issues.”

California Secretary of State records show that Beal and Krajnyak were also business associates, each listed as a chief executive officer. It is not spelled out if that pertained to Magyar Kozmetika, which Krajnyak owned and where the explosion occurred, but one of the address listed was that of the day spa.

Beal claimed that he paid half the rent for the day spa, and half of its operating costs, according to the affidavit, and would sometimes have to loan Krajnyak money to cover the remaining costs.

Photos posted on Beal’s Facebook page appear to show him and Krajnyak recently vacationing together in Mexico.

Among the search warrants served by investigators was one at Beal’s home on El Paseo Street in East Long Beach; investigators were there Tuesday night and again on Wednesday. On Thursday, the normally quiet area was swarming with news reporters and television crews.

According to his website, Beal spent years as an “executive consultant, husband and father before returning to pursuing acting full time.” He says he also performs magic shows and enjoys “building and flying large-scale model rockets.”

He has appeared in movies including the TV movie “Samuel Adams,” according to his Internet Movie Database page.

Neighbors said Beal is a father of four, describing him as a nice person who mostly keeps to himself.

Don Westerhoff, 90, who has lived in the neighborhood for 62 years, said he was told that Beal’s first wife died in an freak accident when she and Beal were moving a heavy piece of furniture downstairs and Beal lost his grip.

“That was the word in the neighborhood,” he said.

He reportedly also spent time as a grief counselor and mentioned on the website www.newhopegrief.org that his wife died from an “accident.”

Coroner’s records show that his wife, Christine Beal, died in 2008 at age 48. The cause of death was listed “undetermined” with other causes listed a “pancreatitis, electrolyte imbalance and other undetermined factors.” The report also mentions “chronic lead intoxication.”

An autopsy report described Christine Beal’s death as mysterious but added there was no evidence of foul play.

In 2010, Beal won a $500,000 settlement from American International Life Assurance Company of New York after saying his wife died from traumatic pancreatitis after falling down a flight of stairs while carrying a 49-pound end-table.