Mansfield Man Bristow Gets 4+ Years for Courthouse Bomb Threats

MANSFIELD, OH – Lonny L. Bristow, 39, is trading the relative freedom of Richland County for a 51-month federal prison stay after pleading guilty to terrorizing courthouses across the country with a series of bogus bomb threats. Bristow, a resident of Mansfield, Ohio, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster, bringing an end to a case that stretched from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest.

The threats, made in November and December 2012, targeted courthouses in Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Bristow admitted to placing the calls using prepaid calling cards purchased at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Investigators meticulously traced the cards, linking them directly to the false alarms that triggered evacuations and widespread panic.

“These threats caused fear and panic throughout courthouses around the country,” stated Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “The FBI did a tremendous job in piecing this case together.” The investigation, led by the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony, wasn’t about simply identifying a caller; it was about unraveling a deliberate attempt to disrupt the judicial process and instill fear.

“Lonny Bristow induced panic in hundreds of people across several states who were simply trying to do their work,” Anthony added. “The FBI will continue efforts to aggressively pursue charges against anyone, such as Mr. Bristow, who chooses to make reckless and malicious bomb threats.” The agency’s commitment to pursuing such cases sends a clear message: false alarms aren’t harmless pranks; they’re serious federal offenses.

Court documents reveal Bristow purchased multiple prepaid cards, effectively creating a network to mask his identity. This attempt at evasion proved unsuccessful, as federal agents painstakingly connected the dots, linking the cards to the threats and ultimately to Bristow himself. The prosecution, handled by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Getz, presented a solid case built on forensic evidence and investigative legwork.

While 51 months may seem a lengthy sentence, it reflects the severity of the crime and the disruption it caused. Bristow’s actions weren’t just a nuisance; they were a calculated effort to undermine public trust and potentially endanger lives. The Grimy Times will continue to track federal sentences and expose those who prey on the safety and security of our communities. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly anonymous threats have consequences.