Bomb Threats Rock Courthouses Across 5 States

Bomb Threats Rock Courthouses Across 5 States

A 39-year-old Mansfield man has been charged with making bomb threats to courthouses across five states, causing fear and panic amongst hundreds of people.

According to the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, and the Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stephen D. Anthony, Lonny L. Bristow, 39, is accused of calling in bomb threats to courthouses in Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, and Mississippi between November and December 2012.

The threats were made using prepaid calling cards purchased at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, according to the information. Bristow had purchased several pre-paid calling cards, which were linked to the false bomb threats placed to various courthouses spanning five states.

“These threats caused fear and panic throughout courthouses around the country,” Dettelbach said. “The FBI did a tremendous job in piecing this case together.”

“Lonny Bristow induced panic in hundreds of people across several states who were simply trying to do their work,” Anthony said. “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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Getz after an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses, and the characteristics of the violations.

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.