Patrick Kittel, age 38 and of Slidell, was arrested Wednesday (August 5, 2026) following a joint investigation by the FBI and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office that resulted in the execution of a federal search warrant at a duplex in the 3100 block of City Drive in Slidell. The investigation stemmed from information developed by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit and shared with the FBI.
Wednesday morning, FBI agents and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office deputies executed a federal search warrant at the residence. During the search, investigators located volatile materials and explosive precursor devices inside the duplex. As a precaution, the surrounding area was secured while bomb technicians responded.
FBI bomb technicians worked alongside members of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Hazardous Device Unit and the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Device Unit to safely remove the hazardous materials from the residence. Deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and troopers with the Louisiana State Police then escorted the materials to Camp Villere, where they will undergo additional testing and safe disposal. The operation was completed safely, and there was no threat to the surrounding community.
Kittel was arrested by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for L.R.S. 14:54.3 Manufacturing and Possession of a Bomb. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible. Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana are also reviewing the case for potential federal charges.
"I want to thank all of our federal, state and local partners for their outstanding teamwork and professionalism throughout this operation," Sheriff Bret Ibert said. "The close working relationships we have allow us to share information, coordinate resources and respond quickly when situations like this arise. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to the administration, faculty, staff and parents at Abney Elementary, as well as the residents who live nearby, for their patience and cooperation. Their understanding allowed law enforcement and first responders to safely complete this operation."
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office thanks the FBI; Slidell Police Department; Louisiana State Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office; St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1; and Acadian Ambulance for their assistance and partnership throughout this investigation.
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