Man who shut down I-90 with hand-held explosive device sentenced to prison

Seattle - A 42-year-old King County resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 18 months in prison for his unlawful possession of a destructive device which shut down Interstate 90, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Sokphana Soeung was arrested October 12, 2024, following a slow speed chase and confrontation with law enforcement during which Soeung brandished a tennis ball explosive and a lighter. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge John H. Chun said Soeung, "displayed an alarming disrespect for the law and posed a risk to the community. Someone could have been badly hurt, including yourself."

According to records filed in the case, Bellevue Police responded to Enatai Beach Park around noon on October 12, 2024, because of reports of two men sleeping in a car with the motor running. When contacted by police, Soeung drove away, running over spike strips that punctured all four tires on the car. Law enforcement followed and Washington State Patrol (WSP) joined the slow speed chase when the car pulled onto Interstate 90 in the westbound direction.

While on Mercer Island, a WSP trooper executed a maneuver to stop the car. At that point, Soeung jumped from the car holding a black ball device in one hand and a lighter in the other. Ultimately, police tackled Soeung, and he dropped the ball shaped item and the lighter. An investigation revealed that the ball shaped item was a tennis ball filled with explosive powder with a fuse. In the car law enforcement found a second explosive device made with sparklers taped together.

The investigation shut down I-90 for a lengthy period while the bomb squad determined there was no danger to the public or the I-90 bridge.

In asking for a two-year prison sentence prosecutors noted that Soeung has a lengthy criminal history driven by drug addiction. "The defendant's decision to possess an explosive device and utilize it in the manner that he did on October 12, 2024, is alarming. Fleeing from law enforcement on a major interstate brimming with unsuspecting drivers in stolen car while high on fentanyl is concerning enough. Electing to flee on foot with a tennis ball "bomb" and lighter in hand placed everyone present at risk of injury or worse, including the defendant."

The case was investigated by the Bellevue Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Y. Gregson.