On August 7, 2023, The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) arrested Levi Flatt with Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Alteration of Serial Numbers. Flatt was held without bond at the Putnam County Jail. As you may recall, this took place while the Putnam County Fair was in operation and there were some unanswered questions regarding if Flatt had intentions of taking these explosives to the Putnam County Fair.

The investigation began when PCSO received a message from a concerned Putnam County Citizen after seeing a video online of a man stating, “Hey ATF, let me know if this legal. Uh, a pound of Tannerite, a pipe bomb, and a wine bottle full of diesel.” The man in the video was identified as Levi Flatt and the ATF was able to gather enough probable cause to write and present a search warrant. PCSO Deputies stopped Flatt’s vehicle when it was driving towards the direction of the Putnam County Fair. A search of Flatt’s vehicle revealed 3 pipe bombs, 2 Molotov cocktails, a handgun with a tampered serial number, approximately 160 rounds of ammunition, a flak jacket, and a shield.

On August 9, 2023, ATF placed a detainer charging Flatt on the federal level with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, Possession of a Destructive Device, Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device, and Making a Destructive Device.

Today, On December 20, 2024, at the United States Middle District Fred D Thompson Federal Building & Courthouse in Nashville, TN Levi Flatt pled guilty and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

Sheriff Farris is thankful for the partnership we have with not only ATF but also our federal, state, and local partners.