- Home
- Solano News
- US / World
- Opinion
- Living
- Entertainment
- Sports
- Business
- Obituaries
- Comics
- Gallery
- Classifieds
- Advertisers
- Coupons
- Contact Us
1,089
1,767
UC Davis researcher faces 10 charges after blast
SACRAMENTO — A chemistry researcher at the University of California, Davis who was injured in an explosion at his campus apartment last week was charged Thursday with 10 counts of possessing firearms and explosives.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s office does not say in the five-page complaint whether 32-year-old David Snyder intended to harm anyone with the items found in his apartment. Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Cabral declined comment through a spokeswoman.
Snyder’s defense attorney, Linda Parisi, said her client had the materials for research.
“What happened in Dr. Snyder’s apartment was an accident. He harbored no intent to build or detonate an explosive device,” she said. “He is a chemist working on a variety of projects.”
Snyder has a doctorate in chemistry from the university. University spokeswoman Claudia Morain said he was involved in a chemistry department project “focused on small molecule synthetic organic chemistry.” She could not say if chemicals used in that research were dangerous or explosive.
The laboratory is working to develop materials that could be used to treat polycystic kidney disease, which causes the kidneys to become enlarged with cysts in about one of every 1,000 people. Snyder also was helping to develop compounds to treat secretory diarrhea, which affects millions of people mainly in developing countries, Morain said. He is on investigatory leave from the university.
Snyder was treated at a hospital for hand injuries after the 1 a.m. blast a week ago and was arrested Saturday. He faces arraignment later Thursday in Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland, north of Sacramento, and is being held on $2 million bond.
A federal agent who would not let his name be used because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the case said the investigation to date has revealed no intention by Snyder to harm anyone.
The blast caused only minor damage to Snyder’s apartment but led to the evacuation of about 100 people while the materials were removed and detonated.
He was charged Thursday with two felony counts of possessing firearms in his apartment without the university’s permission. Three counts say he possessed a destructive device or explosive, while four allege he recklessly disposed of hazardous waste.
The final charge says he possessed materials with the intent to make a destructive device.
The charges do not describe the explosive materials or the type of firearms Snyder had.
Recent Posts
- Fairfield Police will now wear cameras
- Frazier to meet with public at farmers market
- Solano service members complete basic training
- Jeffrey E. Woodhouse
- Tesla uses stock, note sale to repay government
- Woods: Garcia comment hurtful, time to move on
- Woodson overwhelmed by Raiders fans
- Jim Harbaugh to drive Indianapolis 500 pace car
- FBI shooting (photo)
- Face transplant
- Britain murder and dismemberment
- Xbox One
- College Notebook softball
- The egg on Heritage’s face
Discussion | No comments
The Daily Republic does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy