Nina Michalski, 61, of Portland, Maine, admitted in federal court today to a chilling act of terror: mailing bomb threats to religious congregations across the country. In a packed U.S. District Court in Bangor, Michalski entered a guilty plea to federal charges, confirming her role in a years-long campaign of fear aimed at houses of worship in California.
According to court records, Michalski sent three threatening letters between October 2016 and February 2017, each dispatched from Maine and addressed to congregations in Contra Costa County, California. The letters claimed that bombs had been planted—or would soon detonate—inside the targeted religious facilities. Authorities say the threats triggered emergency evacuations, lockdowns, and full-scale bomb sweeps by local and federal agencies.
The psychological toll on congregants was immediate and profound. One California church canceled services for nearly a week. Another installed 24-hour security. Though no explosives were ever found, the threats were credible enough to prompt a multi-agency investigation spanning two states and more than a year. Investigators say Michalski used hand-printed messages and false return addresses in an attempt to conceal her identity.
U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank made the announcement this morning, emphasizing that threats against religious institutions will be met with the full force of federal law. “This wasn’t just mail fraud—it was psychological warfare against peaceful communities,” Frank stated. “The defendant weaponized the U.S. Postal Service to spread fear, and she will now face serious consequences.”
Michalski now faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigation report. If the maximum penalty is imposed, Michalski could spend the remainder of her life behind bars.
The investigation was led by the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and local law enforcement in California, including the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the Walnut Creek Police Department, and the San Ramon Police Department. Their collaboration dismantled a case that crossed state lines and exploited the trust embedded in the nation’s postal system.
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- Buxton Man Gets 12 Months for Threats Against Jewish Community · Maine
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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