Bomb Threat Suspect Apprehended

DAYTON- An Ohio man was apprehended March 20 by FBI agents after an exten- sive investigation into bomb threats to county courthouses in five states. One of the threats was to the Columbia County Courthouse last November 15.

Lonnie Lee Bristow was arrested in Mansfield, Ohio without incident after inves- tigators linked him to pre- paid telephone calling cards purchased at Wal-Mart that were used to call in bomb threats to 19 Tennessee courthouses in November.

As a result of further investigation by federal agents, it was determined that Bristow had also pur- chased prepaid phone cards that were linked to false bomb threats at courthouses in Nebraska, Washington, Oregon and Mississippi.

The Columbia County Courthouse was evacuat- ed after a telephone bomb threat was received. A subse- quent search of the building by officers of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office found no explosive device.

On March 19, agents ex- ecuted a search warrant on Bristow's residence in which they seized computers, digi- tal storage devices, electron- ic equipment, documents and bank cards as well as weapons and ammunition.

As of March 21, Bristow has been charged with one felony count of making a false bomb or arson threat, which could bring a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The investigation involv- ing courthouses in other states is ongoing.