New Hanover County man charged with possession of weapon of mass destruction

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Wilmington man on a felony charge of possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies took Edward James Timothy Joynt into custody without incident on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. The charge stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by the sheriff’s office and the FBI.

An arrest warrant states that on or about the date of the offense, Joynt “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did possess weapon of mass death and destruction, C-4 Plastic Explosive Compound (approximately 1.25 pounds).”

Under North Carolina law, possession of a weapon of mass destruction is a felony offense.

Joynt was transported to the New Hanover County Detention Facility, where he is being held under a $15,000 secured bond.

The investigation remains ongoing.

In 2000, Joynt was arrested for allegedly having a weapon at a protest in downtown Wilmington.