A Belgrade man celebrating the July 4 holiday in Hungry Horse is facing a felony charge after law enforcement officials said he threw an explosive device at a crowd of people.

William Augustus Bradley, 30, was charged with one felony count of criminal endangerment. Bradley faces a 10-year state prison term. He was released on his own recognizance.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Flathead County Deputy Danny Thompson was patrolling July 5 in Hungry Horse when he spoke with a citizen who said a man, later identified as Bradley, was allegedly throwing “mortars” into crowds of people. When they hit the ground, they reportedly exploded.

Deputy Thompson knew from training and experience that a true mortar is an aerial projectile designed to explode in the air and can cause serious bodily injury.

The deputy later spoke with a group of people that included Bradley and warned them to not throw the explosives into the crowd, which included children.

About five minutes later, Deputy Thompson saw a “mortar” explode on the ground near a group of people. Deputy Thompson believed Bradley had lit the fuse and thrown the ”mortar.”

When the deputy spoke with Bradley, he allegedly that he was responsible.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.