The Brief A Milwaukee man is on probation after pleading guilty to a felony charge of possession of improvised explosives. Investigators say 49-year-old Joseph Godlewski possessed materials intended to assemble explosive devices at his West Allis workplace. In court on Friday, he was put on two years' probation, and has to complete community service.



A Milwaukee man was put on probation after pleading guilty to a felony charge of possession of improvised explosives.

Investigators say 49-year-old Joseph Godlewski possessed materials intended to assemble multiple improvised explosive devices at his West Allis workplace.

In court on Friday, July 10, Godlewski pleaded guilty to the felony charge. The court withheld the sentence and put Godlewski on probation for two years.

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As part of the conditions of his probation, he cannot possess any firearms or bomb-making materials, and he has to complete 50 hours of community service.


Anonymous tip sparks investigation

The backstory:

The accused is 48-year-old Joseph Godlewski. He was charged with possession of an improvised explosive device.

According to a criminal complaint, West Allis police received an anonymous tip alleging Godlewski was making pipe bombs at his workplace, Metropolitan Maintenance and Landscaping, on Dec. 30, 2025, and had previously assembled and detonated an explosive device.

The tipster also claimed Godlewski ordered bomb-making components online, including materials from Amazon.

Investigators searched the business and located an office labeled with Godlewski's name that contained multiple bags of chemical powders, including sulfur powder, potassium nitrate and aluminum powder, as well as cylinder tubes, fuses, glue sticks and a digital scale with powder residue, per the complaint.

Bomb squad called, business shut down

Dig deeper:

The Milwaukee Police Department Hazardous Device Unit was called to the scene to seize the materials. Authorities shut down the business for about six hours, so the items co

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