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Florida man with guns, school maps and explosives in home being held for mental evaluation

Posted at 8:24 AM, Oct 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-22 08:24:35-04

The family of a man arrested, after deputies discovered weapons and explosives in his closet is currently undergoing a mental heath evaluation.

Pinellas County deputies arrested 24-year-old Randall Drake on Thursday after they say they found explosive devices, guns, maps of local schools and an assortment of other weapons during a child pornography raid.

RELATED | Randall Drake: Dunedin man arrested after explosives, guns, school maps and more found in his home

Drake was arrested and charged with two counts of unlawfully making, possessing or attempting to make a destructive device. 

He was placed under a $20,000 bond but bonded out on Thursday night. Prior to bonding out of jail, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said that he believed Drake is too dangerous to be released.

Following the release, Drake was taken into immediate custody under the Baker Act for a mental health evaluation.

The evaluation could last a period of 72 hours. Deputies told ABC Action News unless they file additional charges against Drake, he will not be taken into custody after the evaluation because he posted bond.

Friday afternoon, Drake's family issued the following statement to ABC Action News:

"Randy is a loving son, brother, and friend to all who know him. We stand by him 100% and only ask that you keep an open mind and not jump to conclusions.”

After deputies found maps of two Hillsborough County schools, they alerted the school district. The principals contacted parents, informing them about Drake's arrest. 

“I’m not going to lie I did have thoughts of keeping my son home from school just because of the fear," Jennifer Hamilton, a concerned parent, said.

The district added more security at both schools. Parents expressed concerns, Friday afternoon. 

“It makes you sick to your stomach -especially when you see everything on tv and then of course the maps of our school where our daughter is," Matt Mavencamp, a concerned parent, said.