You’re overlooking the “building” part of the destructive devices. If he’d stopped at designing ‘em there wouldn’t be a case. Making them is one of the most serious transgressions the Feds recognize and punish.
Exactly! Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Ray Charles could have seen this coming.
Also it’s alleged he specifically said he planned to use them, and on Federal agents if the SHTF. Ever notice those books that tell you how to do this stuff always preface by saying they are for “educational” or “entertainment” purposes only? That’s to protect the authors from lawsuits or prosecution if someone actually uses them to hurt someone.