9 Investigates

9 Investigates: DeBary man found with explosives should have been held on previous charge

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates learned the family of Christopher Langer pushed to have him released from the Volusia County jail last month, and a judge complied.

Eyewitness News reported Monday the arrest of Langer after deputies found explosives in his DeBary home, investigators said.

Langer faces charges of possession of explosive devices and materials.

9 Investigates learned he was arrested in September for grand theft and dealing in stolen property in which he admitted he stole his father’s laptop and pawned it to support his drug habit.

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Langer was released on his own recognizance in lieu of paying bail, and placed in a pretrial release program, which is routine for defendants who have might have a drug or alcohol problem or are low-level offenders.

Eight days later, Langer tested positive for cocaine during a weekly urine test, which was a violation of the conditions of his pretrial release.

Investigative reporter Daralene Jones questioned court administration why Langer was once again released on his own recognizance and issued a new pretrial release order, even though a judge attached a $10,000 bail to that warrant.

“A family member spoke up and told the judge that there was a medical issue and that they would like a smaller bond amount so that they could continue the medical treatment,” spokesperson Ludmilla Lelsi told Jones.

Law enforcement records indicate Langer suffers from depression and attention deficit disorder. According to one police report, it was indicated by a family member that Langer was taken into custody under the Baker Act. He was mentally evaluated four times, once just last month, under the Florida Baker Act law. Langer’s parents expressed concerns in every case about his drug and alcohol addiction.

Photos: Bomb making materials in DeBary home, deputies say

“The father was there, made assurances to the judge that the defendant would be at home,” Lelsi said as she continued to explain why the judge chose to release Langer on his own recognizance, instead of lowering the bail.

A judge on Tuesday terminated Langer’s pretrial release on the grand theft and dealing in stolen property charges; however, a judge also ordered no bail on his latest charges associated with the explosives investigators said they found in his Debary home.

Read: Deputies find possible explosive in yard of DeBary home