Nicholas Kyle Martino, Making Bomb Threats, Texas 2016

Nicholas Kyle Martino, a 17-year-old from New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to making bomb threats to Sul Ross State University and Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Texas. The threats were made in September 2016, and Martino has been in federal custody since his arrest in December 2016.

According to court documents, Martino made two phone calls to the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office on September 8, 2016, threatening to kill everyone in the hospital. The threats were made approximately two hours after a hoax bomb threat was made to Sul Ross State University. Those malicious communications occurred on the same day law enforcement and first responders were responding to an active shooter at the Alpine High School.

Martino also admitted to communicating threats via Twitter on September 10, 2016, to kill former Texas State Representative Pete Gallego and his family as well as another threat to bomb Sul Ross State University.

The investigation was conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Midland, Philadelphia, Eau Clare, Nashville, and Seattle, as well as local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorney James J. Miller, Jr., and Debra Kanof are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

Martino’s guilty pleas come after U.S. District Judge Robert A. Junell granted a request by Martino to be prosecuted as an adult in federal court. Martino’s sentencing is scheduled for May 10, 2017, before Judge Junell. Each charge calls for up to five years in federal prison.

Law enforcement is taking a strong stance against individuals who make false threats, especially in light of recent events at the Alpine High School. The investigation shows the extent of Martino’s actions and the consequences he will face.

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