Cory Mills

A building owned by embattled U.S. Rep. Cory Mills exploded in Perry on Sept. 16, according to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.

Mills, who has consistently missed votes in Washington since losing the Aug. 18 Republican primary election, owns 100% of Pacem Estate Holdings, LLC,, according to a financial disclosure form he filed on Aug. 13.

That company purchased the munitions plant in Perry, a small city in northern Florida about 50 miles southeast of Tallahassee, in 2018.

The business, Pacem Defense, had two employees present at the facility when the explosion occurred, according to the sheriff's statement. Neither a worker in the main office nor a security guard were hurt.

The original 9-1-1 call came at 6:58 p.m., according to Stacey Walker, public information officer.

Explosion investigation draws county, state, federal agencies

Taylor sheriff's personnel, Taylor County Fire Rescue, and the Perry Police Department all responded.

"The explosion resulted in significant damage to one building at the facility, which is considered a total loss," Walker said in the statement. "First responders secured and maintained the perimeter until the appropriate state and federal agencies arrived on scene."

Other agencies involved in investigating the explosion include: the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Department of Defense, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and Taylor County Emergency Management.

No cause of the explosion had been identified as of 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17, Walker said.

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook: "Many residents heard and felt last night’s explosion at the PACEM facility, and we understand the concern it caused throughout our community."

Mills did not respond to a Sept. 17 text message seeking comment on the explosion.

Pacem furloughed workers in 2025

Mills started Pacem Solutions, an international security and risk management firm, in 2014 with his former wife Rana Al Saadi, then launched Pacem Defense in 2015.

Pacem Defense bills itself as a manufacturer of international defense products.

When Mills first entered the House in January 2023, he left his colleagues grenades as gifts, along with a note stating: "It is my pleasure to give you a 40mm grenade, made for (an) MK19 grenade launcher. These are manufactured in the Sunshine State and first developed in the Vietnam War."

Taylor County property appraiser records show the former plant — which was shuttered in October 2025, furloughing 80 workers, according to the Perry News-Herald — is valued at $3.8 million, and contains 10 buildings, all constructed in 2013.

A special committee set up by the House Committee on Ethics has been investigating Mills, of New Smyrna Beach, but no report has been issued.

The committee is investigating a no-contact restraining order given to Mills by a Columbia County judge last fall, after his ex-girlfriend testified he threatened to release sex videos if she didn't attempt another reconciliation, as well as a February 2025, Washington, D.C., police investigation into a battery complaint by a different girlfriend — Mills was married at the time. The girlfriend was found to have bruising. She later denied Mills had touched her, and no charges were filed.

A Republican congresswoman, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, has echoed former Army colleagues of Mills in accusing the former Army medic of stolen valor, for claims made on paperwork that led to his Bronze Star medal. Meanwhile, former coworkers who served with Mills at a private defense contractor in Iraq have said his claims of being "blown up" by explosive devices were overstated.

As far back as 2024, Mills was under scrutiny by congressional ethics investigators over accusations he was benefiting from government contracts while serving in Congress, omitting or misrepresenting information on his financial disclosures, and other matters.

Mills will relinquish his seat in January after serving two terms.

News reports and others, including the Republican who defeated him in the primary, Ryan Elijah, say they have confirmation that Mills is also facing a Department of Justice criminal investigation.