Crime & Safety
California Explosives Case: Man Faces 80+ Years After 41 Felonies
Placerville, CA – A Northern California man faces the possibility of spending more than 80 years in state prison after pleading no contest to 41 felony counts involving explosive devices, firearms and
By Marcus Hale · 2026-11-02T20:26:57.267Z
Placerville, CA – A Northern California man faces the possibility of spending more than 80 years in state prison after pleading no contest to 41 felony counts involving explosive devices, firearms and child endangerment across El Dorado and Sacramento counties.
According to a joint announcement Monday, Nov. 2, from the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Office , Benjamin Edward Cunha entered his plea Friday, Oct. 30, in El Dorado County Superior Court.
Cunha pleaded no contest to all 41 felony counts and admitted every special allegation and sentencing enhancement filed against him.
The case involves incidents between December 2022 and January 2024, including 18 charges originating in El Dorado County and 23 in Sacramento County.
Prosecutors said 15 counts involved the use of destructive devices or explosives allegedly intended to injure, intimidate or terrorize individuals and damage property.
The affected property included vehicles, trees, light poles and a fire hydrant.
Additional charges involved possessing destructive devices in public places and at a private residence, possessing explosives without required state permits and possessing materials used to manufacture explosive devices.
The case also included three firearm possession counts involving a convicted felon and one count of child endangerment under circumstances likely to cause great bodily harm or death.
Cunha also admitted prior convictions , including a 2008 arson conviction and a 2013 federal arson conviction.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Smith accepted the admissions as an open plea, meaning no negotiated sentencing agreement was reached.
The judge will determine the appropriate punishment.
District Attorney Vern Pierson described the conduct as dangerous to communities throughout the region and said prosecutors intend to seek the maximum sentence.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, California Highway Patrol and sheriff's offices in El Dorado and Sacramento counties.
Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29, 2027 , in Department 2 of El Dorado County Superior Court.
Cunha faces a maximum sentence exceeding 80 years in state prison.