MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Denville Chief of Police Scott Welsch, confirmed the arrest of Joseph Rizos, 37, of Denville, following a homemade explosives (HME) investigation that yielded seizure of a massive trove of explosives and explosive precursors.
The morning of June 24, 2026, a team of investigators carried out the execution of a search warrant at a residence on Avondale Road in Denville, led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prior to the execution, a motor vehicle stop was conducted and Rizos was detained.
At the residence, investigators uncovered a home laboratory along with a cache of explosive precursors commonly used to make HME. Also seized were blasting caps, cell phones, and various firearms and ammunition. A subsequent search warrant for a shed was executed, which was also located on the residence’s property, resulting in the seizure of approximately one-hundred and nine (109) individual containers of suspected HME capable of massive destruction. A search did not locate a permit issued with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health required to store these explosive materials.
As a precaution, surrounding residences were temporarily evacuated.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division are carrying out this investigation, which includes task force officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Denville Police Department, Parsippany Police Department, Roxbury Police Department and the Town of Boonton Police Department. Other agencies that assisted with the investigation were the Morristown Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, New Jersey State Police Hazardous Material Response Unit, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Newark Division (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Newark Office (FBI).
MCPO members initiated this investigation in March 2026. It is alleged that Rizos ran a destructive device manufacturing operation in the years 2025 and 2026.
On June 24, Rizos was charged with the following:
• One count of Recklessly Risking Widespread Injury/Damage, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-2C, a crime of the second degree.
• Four counts of Possession of Destructive Devices, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3A, a crime of the third degree.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be appropriate.
Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Rizos remains detained in the Morris County Jail pending a motion for pretrial detention.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said, “I want to recognize the hard work and persistence of our investigators in shutting down this potentially dangerous operation. I also wish to thank our local, state, and federal partners in providing timely assistance with this volatile situation.
We recognize that matters of national significance are transpiring in Northern New Jersey right now, and that this arrest may prompt speculation and concern. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, law enforcement cannot discuss additional details at this time, such as the defendant’s intent. More will be reported to the public at the appropriate time.”
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
