Former Australian Defence Force member Michael Timothy Brown charged with new firearms, explosives charges

New charges have been laid for an Army veteran and explosives expert who was allegedly manufacturing his own weapons on the outskirts of Sydney in a “doomsday preparation” scenario.

An army veteran who specialised in explosives has been charged with two further offences after police allege he was manufacturing his own weapons in a “doomsday preparation scenario”.

Michael Timothy Brown, 54, appeared via video link in Picton Local Court on Tuesday for two fresh charges associated with the raids on his Picton home earlier this year.

Mr Brown had previously been charged with possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm, making explosives, acquiring a firearm part without a permit, manufacturing a prohibited firearm without a licence, and four counts of possessing various types of ammunition.

On October 9, the court heard Mr Brown has also been charged with a fifth charge of possessing ammunition, as well as intentionally importing prohibited goods. Mr Brown is now charged with 10 charges related to possessing and manufacturing weapons.

NSW Police partnered with Australian Federal Police to investigate Michael Timothy Brown. Picture: Gaye Gerard

According to court documents, on July 9 the Australian Federal Police were notified Mr Brown had purchased a number of firearm parts for a semi-automatic rifle, a handgun, and a 3D printer which police claim he wanted to use to build his own weapons. Mr Brown had also allegedly imported large quantities of chemicals which could be used to manufacture explosives.

Court documents state the imported goods, sourced mainly from South East Asia and the United States, were sent to his home address in Picton.

In their search of Mr Brown’s home, police allege they discovered $190,000 in cash hidden under the sink in plastic bags.

According to court documents, police also seized a large quantity of chemicals for analysis, as well as lab equipment, wiring, and detonators.

Police claim they uncovered a manual on how to manufacture explosives among an arsenal of triggers, explosive device tails, restricted military documents and kevlar ballistic vests.

In a bail hearing on August 12, the police prosecutor told the court the evidence seized by police seemed to point to a “doomsday preparation” scenario.

“It seems indicative of someone who is preparing for a serious event to occur,” she said.

Michael Timothy Brown appeared in Picton Court House on August 10. Picture: Google

The court heard Mr Brown was a decorated member of the Australian Defence Force for 30 years until his discharge in 2019.

Court documents reveal he was an explosive ordinance disposal technician and had undergone training that gave him an intimate knowledge of the creation and disarmament of explosive devices.

Mr Brown’s lawyer Matthew Ward told the court his client had dedicated his life to protecting Defence Force troops and training them in disarming explosives. He said the items seized by the police were elements to be used in the “common hobby” of rocketry.

“He has spent many decades of his life doing the opposite of what is alleged against him on behalf of Australia and its citizens,” he said.

“As a result he sustained a number of serious mental health conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder.”

On the basis of Mr Brown’s “significant” mental health conditions and his poor physical health, Mr Ward asked the court to allow him to live with his parents while participating in the legal process.

However, the police prosecutor said Mr Brown’s poor mental health and confessed self-medication with alcohol were cause for concern.

“He told the psychologist he feels irritable and disconnected from society,” she said.

“He has admitted to having grievances and feelings of injustice towards people because of his time in the military.”

Police investigations into Michael Timothy Brown are still underway. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Magistrate Mark Douglass said the former Army member’s criminal history didn’t reassure the court.

“He was sentenced two years ago in relation to importation of tier two material, which includes steroids, weapon-like items, bulletproof vests,” the magistrate said.

In this case, the court heard the item imported was a childlike inflatable sex doll.

Magistrate Douglass also noted the ongoing nature of the investigation.

“The full extent of these offences is not yet fully appreciated by police,” he said.

He said although courts were generally empathetic to people who had served their country, Mr Brown posed an “unacceptable risk of interfering with evidence and perhaps committing a further offence”.

Magistrate Douglass’s August 12 decision to refuse bail was overturned by the Supreme Court, who granted Mr Brown strict bail on October 8 due to his ill health. Mr Brown did not appear in court on November 9 and his application to vary his bail to report to Picton Police Station was rejected.

His matter will next be heard in Picton Local Court on January 11, 2022.