A Long Island man accused of having an arsenal of weapons and explosives inside a home filled with marijuana plants has been remanded without bail after his arraignment on drugs and weapons charges.
Marc Ringel, 53, was arrested Tuesday night at the home his parents own in Woodmere. He is next expected to appear in court on March 12.
Police responding to a silent alarm at his home smelled the odor of numerous marijuana plants and later found 100 handguns, 20 rifles, 15 pipe bombs, 15 handmade grenades and 50 pounds of bomb-making material.
Police took Ringel into custody and evacuated about 20 homes on the block as a precaution. They told NBC New York the amount of explosives found in the home was enough to "blow up the entire block."
In addition to the weapons, police found a marijuana greenhouse as well as a pit in the backyard with a wire that extended into the house. Police believe Ringel used the pit to test explosives.
At his arraignment Thursday, Ringel's attorney, Saul Bienenfeld, said his client worked with authorities to help safely remove the explosives from the house.
Bienenfeld also said the weapons and bomb-making materials were just "a hobby that grew out of control."
The home is owned by Ringel's parents, who live in Florida during the winter. Police said they weren't sure the parents knew Ringel was living in the house.
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Police said Ringel is unemployed.
County Executive Ed Mangano called Ringel "a potential madman."
Police are still investigating, but said it does not appear he was associated with any terror groups.
Ringel has one prior felony conviction in Utah, but police said it is unrelated to any weapons or bomb charges. He is a divorced high school graduate.
