West Ex-EMS to Plead Guilty in Pipe Bomb Case

WACO, Texas (AP) — A former West paramedic is expected to plead guilty after being accused of collecting materials for a pipe bomb, in a case unrelated to the deadly fertilizer plant explosion.

Bryce Ashley Reed is scheduled to appear in Waco federal court Thursday afternoon. Reed's attorney, Jonathan Sibley, says he's reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The 31-year-old Reed was charged with knowingly and unlawfully possessing a destructive device.

Reed became one of West's most avid spokesmen after the April 17 blast that killed 15, including 10 first responders. His May arrest in the middle of the blast investigation shocked the town.

But authorities have never said Reed had any criminal responsibility for the blast.

A criminal complaint accuses Reed of leaving the pipe bomb materials with a friend who called authorities.