Sailors Charged With Fireworks Possession

Two members of the U.S. Navy have been charged with possession of fireworks and additional charges after police found fireworks in a storage facility in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard.

Ledyard police were on patrol at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday when the found a car parked in a hiking area off of Avery Hill Road and found a small amount of explosive material, police said.

The investigation led officers to a storage facility in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard, where they found more materials, police said.

State troopers responded and secured the materials.

John Mallow, 22, of the submarine base in Groton was charged with possession of explosives, manufacture of bombs, and possession of fireworks. He was held on a $50,000 bond.

Gary Braun, 19, also of the submarine base in Groton was charged with possession of explosives and possession of fireworks. He was held on a $10,000 bond.

Police said the manufacture charge is for mixing compounds together that are capable of creating an explosion and there was no indication that the men had any intent to cause damage or harm to anyone.