Jason Schaefer

A man accused of setting off a small bomb in his SUV near Beaverton had three other packages believed to contain highly unstable explosive materials seized from his SUV and storage lockage, a federal prosecutor said Friday.

Authorities suspect the packages held triacetate triperoxide, or TATP, an explosive that has been used in terrorist attacks, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said in U.S. District Court in Portland.

The packages, along with a written threat to a Multnomah County jail doctor last week, are reasons release for Jason Schaefer "is not at all appropriate in this case," Gabriel told Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman.

Schaefer, who lost at least two fingers in the blast, wrote in a medical request form on Oct. 22 that his pain medication was "inadequate," Gabriel said.

"I am obliged to see your death," Schaefer wrote to the doctor. "At this point, change of prescription or additions does not change this."

Schaefer, 26, pleaded not guilty during the hearing to assault on a federal officer and using an explosive to commit a federal felony. He made no statements other than to tell the judge that he had reviewed documents listing the charges against him.

He stood in a blue county jail uniform next to defense attorney Mark Ahlemeyer and looked straight ahead for most of his brief arraignment. A white bandage wrapped his left hand with his little finger and ring finger sticking out.

Beckerman ordered Schaefer to remain in jail and set a tentative trial date for Dec. 27.

Ahlemeyer didn't contest Schaefer's jail status and said he had no comment on the prosecutor's arguments to keep Shaefer in custody.

Schaefer used a lighter to ignite explosives in a cigarette pack during a traffic stop near his apartment in Rockcreek in Washington County, investigators said.

The blast occurred while a Washington County detective deputized as a federal officer working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force was walking toward the driver's side of Schaefer's Honda CRV.

Schaefer threatened to kill officers before detonating the device and had rigged his apartment with flammable materials that could be ignited with a remote, Gabriel said during a previous court hearing.

Schaefer was being monitored by the FBI for at least two weeks on suspicion of gathering explosive materials before authorities served a search warrant at his apartment Oct. 11, according to court documents.

The traffic stop occurred after authorities lost track of him that day and later spotted him driving near his apartment, court documents said.

It's still not clear why Schaefer had explosives or how he planned to use them. Loren Cannon, special agent in charge of the FBI's Portland division, Oregon's U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams and Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett said during a news conference after the arraignment that they couldn't comment on the case, citing the pending charges.

Williams did note that Schaefer isn't facing terrorism-related allegations and that there's no ongoing threat to the public.

The officials highlighted that their agencies and others worked together to arrest Schaefer and urged the public to help keep their communities safe by reporting suspicious behavior.

"If you see something that doesn't look right, say something," Williams said.

The injuries sustained by the Washington County detective, identified in court documents as Jeremy Chedester, were "short-lived," Garrett said. Chedester returned to duty five days after the explosion, he said.

Court documents show Chedester was hit by flying glass from Schaefer's SUV and flesh from Schaefer's hand. He also suffered ringing in his ears. He has been with the Sheriff's Office for 10 years and became a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force for a little more than two years, Garrett said.

The task force is a collection of investigators that includes members of the Oregon State Police, Washington County Sheriff's Office and Portland Police Bureau. They assess and investigate possible terrorism threats or threats involving explosives.

TATP is a peroxide-based explosive made with common household ingredients, said Portland police Sgt. Steve Collins, a member of the Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit.

"It could kill you," Collins said. "It's very dangerous to make. It's very dangerous to handle."

Schaefer's criminal history includes a prior conviction for attempted second-degree assault and possession of a controlled substance in New York, court records indicate. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation in May in Washington County for being felon in possession of body armor.

A Washington County judge issued an arrest warrant hours before the explosion on allegations that Schaefer was a felon in possession of explosives. He initially was held on a probation violation when he was booked into jail. That charge was dismissed Oct. 17, court records show. Schaefer now faces only the federal charges.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey