Missouri Resident Charged for Sharing Instructions on How to Make Explosives

May 13, 2026, 19:39
USOther

Introduction

United States federal authorities have started legal action against Jordan Derrick from Sweet Springs, Missouri. He is accused of illegally sharing instructional materials that were used in a domestic terrorist attack.

Main Body

The legal case follows an attack on January 1, 2025, in New Orleans. A man named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who supported the Islamic State, drove a vehicle into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring many others. While the vehicle caused the most deaths, federal investigators discovered that Jabbar also used two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) nearby. Although these bombs did not explode, the FBI analyzed them and found that they were built using technical instructions that Jordan Derrick had shared on social media starting in September 2023. Furthermore, prosecutors emphasized that Derrick's online tutorials explained how to create powerful explosive substances, such as RDX and TNT. The evidence against him grew stronger after another incident on May 4, 2026, in Odessa, Missouri. In that case, a house exploded, and the resident claimed the accident happened because they followed Derrick's instructions. Consequently, the Department of Justice has charged Derrick with making explosives without a license, possessing a dangerous device, and illegally sharing explosive information. If he is found guilty, he could face up to 40 years in prison.

Conclusion

Jordan Derrick is currently facing federal charges for providing the technical plans used in both a mass-casualty attack and a residential explosion.

Learning

πŸ’‘ The Power of 'Logical Glue' (Connectors)

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop writing sentences like a list and start writing them like a web. A2 students say: "The bombs did not explode. The FBI analyzed them." A B2 student connects these ideas to show a relationship.

The Magic Transition: "Although" Look at this phrase from the text: "Although these bombs did not explode, the FBI analyzed them..."

  • Why it's B2: It creates a contrast. It tells the reader: "Even though X happened (or didn't happen), Y still occurred."
  • How to use it: Place it at the start of a sentence to set up a surprise or a contradiction.
  • Example: Although I studied for three hours, I still failed the test.

πŸ› οΈ Upgrading Your 'Result' Words

Stop using "So..." for everything. In the article, the author uses "Consequently".

"Consequently, the Department of Justice has charged Derrick..."

The B2 Shift:

  • A2: "He shared instructions, so he was arrested." (Basic/Informal)
  • B2: "He shared instructions; consequently, he was arrested." (Formal/Academic)

Pro Tip: Use Consequently or Therefore when you want to sound professional or official, especially in reports or essays.

πŸ” Vocabulary Precision: 'Charged' vs. 'Accused'

In the text, we see "He is accused of..." and "charged Derrick with..."

  1. Accused of (+ -ing): When someone says you did something wrong. (The accusation).
  2. Charged with (+ noun/verb): When the police or government officially starts a legal process against you. (The formal law).

Quick Comparison:

  • "My boss accused me of being late." (He is angry).
  • "The state charged him with a crime." (He is going to court).

Vocabulary Learning

accused (adj.)
formally blamed or charged with wrongdoing
Example:He was accused of stealing the money.
illegally (adv.)
in a way that breaks the law
Example:She was caught illegally downloading movies.
instructional (adj.)
designed to teach or explain how to do something
Example:The instructional video showed how to assemble the kit.
domestic (adj.)
relating to a country or home, not foreign
Example:The incident was a domestic security concern.
terrorist (adj.)
related to or supporting acts of terror
Example:He was linked to a terrorist organization.
investigators (n.)
people who look into events or crimes
Example:Investigators collected evidence from the scene.
improvised (adj.)
made or created quickly using whatever is available
Example:They used an improvised device to test the system.
explosive (adj.)
capable of causing a sudden and violent burst of energy
Example:The lab handled explosive materials with caution.
devices (n.)
tools or machines designed for a particular purpose
Example:The devices were inspected for safety.
analyzed (adj.)
examined in detail to understand its components
Example:The samples were analyzed by experts.
technical (adj.)
relating to the science or skill of a particular activity
Example:He gave a technical explanation of the system.
tutorials (n.)
instructional videos or guides that teach how to do something
Example:The tutorials helped beginners learn the basics.
substances (n.)
materials that can be used or mixed
Example:The lab studied various chemical substances.
incident (n.)
an event or occurrence, especially one that is unexpected
Example:The incident caused a temporary shutdown.
resident (n.)
a person who lives in a particular place
Example:The resident reported the suspicious activity.
license (n.)
official permission to do something
Example:He applied for a license to operate the machinery.
possessing (gerund)
having or owning something
Example:Possessing the device made him a suspect.
dangerous (adj.)
capable of causing harm or injury
Example:The chemicals are dangerous if mishandled.
information (n.)
facts or knowledge about something
Example:She provided crucial information to the authorities.
guilty (adj.)
responsible for wrongdoing or having committed a crime
Example:The jury found him guilty of the charges.
prison (n.)
a place where people are confined as punishment
Example:He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
federal (adj.)
relating to the national government
Example:The federal agency investigated the case.
charges (n.)
accusations or formal accusations of wrongdoing
Example:The charges were filed in federal court.
providing (gerund)
giving or supplying something
Example:Providing the instructions made the crime easier.
mass-casualty (adj.)
an event that causes many injuries or deaths
Example:The mass-casualty incident shocked the nation.
residential (adj.)
relating to a house or building where people live
Example:The residential area was evacuated after the blast.
explosion (n.)
a sudden violent burst of energy, often with a loud noise
Example:The explosion shattered the windows.