The new charges filed today against 40-year-old James Coleman Wheeler were enough to raise his bond to $1.5 million, Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said.

The new charges stem from an investigation that began on March 9 where the sheriff's office was assisted by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

These charges involve an incendiary device in the form of a pipe bomb found inside the trunk of the victim's car, the same victim who was the subject of the original charges filed against Wheeler.

Dusko, a canine with the sheriff's office, indicated the device in the victim's car was an explosive device, Tripp said.

State Bureau of Investigation agents, along with the bureau's bomb squad, assisted with the safe detonation of the device.

The initial tip came from the Warren County Sheriff's Office after receiving an anonymous tip indicating a bomb was in the car.

Tripp said ATF has already opened a case and it is expected the federal bureau will adopt it

The new charges against Wheeler are for breaking and entering a motor vehicle; malicious use of explosives to damage personal property; domestic criminal trespass, domestic violence protective order violation by use of a deadly weapon; possession of a weapon of mass destruction and possession of a firearm or weapon of mass destruction by a convicted felon.

In April he was charged with stalking and other crimes related to the domestic case.