A man who was arrested shortly after an explosion in Pasadena that was heard by investigators looking into a report of a prior blast has pleaded no contest to two felony counts.
Art Leon Berian, 62, of Pasadena, pleaded no contest Thursday to one felony count each of use of a destructive device to injure or destroy and carrying a concealed explosive substance as part of a plea deal with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Berian — who is set to be sentenced in June 2026 — must complete 100 hours of community service in a court-approved program, obey all laws and not possess any type of explosive materials in exchange for a sentence with no additional time in jail. He could face up to three years behind bars if he does not comply with the terms of the agreement.
Pasadena police detectives who were leaving the area after collecting video on a separate explosion heard a loud explosion and observed a white cloud of smoke nearby on May 16, police said shortly after Berian’s arrest.
Detectives began canvassing the location where they saw Berian’s 2013 BMW pulling up to the area, and collected evidence from his vehicle related to the explosion, according to police.
Berian admitted under questioning that he had launched an M100 with a slingshot that day and had used additional M100s over the past year, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Pasadena police have noted through SpotShotter and reporting parties that there had been sounds consistent with explosions over the “last year plus.”
But the District Attorney’s Office added that there is “a lack of evidence as to when and where these additional acts took place, such as reported witnesses, victims, known property damage or physical evidence that could corroborate an explosion, such as explosive remnants,” and that there is “a lack of evidence that defendant is responsible for these explosions.”
The District Attorney’s Office noted that there were no injuries or property damage in connection with the charges filed against Berian.
He had been behind bars since his arrest, but he was released on his own recognizance after his plea, jail records show.