"In my personal opinion, I think they defrauded the military on their ability to store this material in Louisiana," Sheriff Sexton said.

The Army visited the Louisiana facility at least twice in 2010 after the propellant contract was awarded and two more times in 2011, according to Abney. Records showed no serious problems.

But this isn't the first time the company has come under scrutiny.

A series of about 10 explosions at the facility caused an evacuation of Doyline in 2006. And in 2007, The Mine Safety and Health Administration said Explo Systems "displayed a reckless disregard for the health and safety of miners" in West Virginia when a blast injured one worker and exposed others to toxins from an old military explosive called tetryl, according to documents reviewed by the AP.

The material that caused the evacuation was found by an investigator looking into an October explosion involving a different type of explosive.

"Oh God, I thought I was in Afghanistan," said Doyline resident Gaytha Bryant, 56. "There was this explosion, then the shaking, the grandchildren woke up screaming."

Bryant said the blast shifted her mobile home, causing thousands of dollars in damage. She's part of class-action lawsuit against Explo Systems.