| By Bob Weaver
A total black-out of public information hangs over a series of explosions that rocked an area in the upper end of the Town of Clay last Sunday.
Sheriff Randy Holcomb issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying that public information might impede or jeopardize the investigation, expressing concern for public safety.
"We are withholding all comments until the investigation is complete. Arrests are pending. After the arrests are made we will make a full public statement to all the press," Holcomb said.
Federal warrants have reportedly been issued, indicating subjects linked to the incident are known or are in custody, but so far there is no verification of arrests.
A "large force" of authorities reportedly descended on property Tuesday night belonging to Samuel Murphy, 36, of Wallback. Sources at the scene said police and ATV officers were "looking for explosive materials."
State Police and sheriff's officers from Clay and Roane County, along with other authorities, were reportedly exercising a search warrant at the Murphy mobile home near the Roane County line.
Murphy was absent, currently being held in Central Regional Jail for brandishing a weapon. He allegedly failed a court drug test, attempting to manipulate the test by using someone else's urine contained in a hidden condom.
Murphy was charged in 2004 with shooting Thomas Holcomb, 39, of Clay, with an AK-47 along Main Street in Clay.
Holcomb is also incarcerated at CRJ for operating a clandestine meth lab.
A Tobacco and Firearms team checked an old camper manufacturing building at Maysel belonging to Samuel Murphy's father, Frank. Authorities were reportedly looking for materials that could have been used in a bomb.
Sources near the scene said they were looking for specific types of dry wall screws and one inch diameter and bigger nuts and bolts.
A fishing cabin belonging to the elder Murphy burned to the ground, a fire that appeared to be caused by arson.
Speculation is rampant in the community about the Sunday explosions, some suggesting the explosions may have been meant for Sheriff Randy Holcomb, while others consider them to be linked to illegal drug operations.
Former Clay Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Davis reportedly said the first blast was not just one blast but rather four blasts.
See earlier HUR HERALD stories about Clay explosions. | 
