Fort Smith man sought on possession of explosives charge

Fort Smith Times Record
·1 min read

Agents from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies are looking for a man with ties to Pakistan and India who is wanted on an illegal explosives possession charge following a raid at his home Tuesday in south Fort Smith.

Neil Ravi Mehta, 31, is sought by agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office in New Orleans.

Mehta remained at-large Friday, an FBI spokesman said.

Neil Ravi Mehta who last lived in Fort Smith, is sought by the FBI and ATF on possession of explosives found in his home near Carol Cross Park at S 74 and Free Ferry Road Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
Neil Ravi Mehta who last lived in Fort Smith, is sought by the FBI and ATF on possession of explosives found in his home near Carol Cross Park at S 74 and Free Ferry Road Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
Neil Ravi Mehta is wanted on possession of explosives charges, the FBI reported Friday, Feb., 3, 2023. His home was raided in Fort Smith on Tuesday, Jan. 31
Neil Ravi Mehta is wanted on possession of explosives charges, the FBI reported Friday, Feb., 3, 2023. His home was raided in Fort Smith on Tuesday, Jan. 31

"FBI Little Rock and ATF New Orleans are asking for the public's help to locate and arrest Neil Ravi Mehta for unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device," said FBI spokesman Connor Hagan in Little Rock.

On Tuesday, law officers were seen at Mehta's home near Carol Ann Cross Park near S. 74th Street and Free Ferry Road.

During what was described by Hagan as a court-appointed operation, investigators located multiple explosive devices inside the residence.

"The explosives were rendered safe by federal agents, but Mehta remains at-large," Hagan reported Friday.

Mehta is described as about 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Authorities say Mehta has ties to eastern Oklahoma, Atlanta, Ga. Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and New York, New York in the United States. He also has ties to Pakistan and India.

The FBI reports Mehta should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who sees him should call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 and follow the recorded instructions provided.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: FBI searching for Fort Smith man on illegal possession of explosives