Federal Grand Jury Indicts Baton Rouge Man in Connection to LSU Bomb Threat

BATON ROUGE—United States Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr., announced that the federal grand jury returned an indictment against William Bouvay, Jr., age 42, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in connection with the bomb threat that on Monday caused the evacuation of LSU’s campus. Bouvay was charged with one count of willfully conveying false information concerning the attempt to destroy property by means of explosives in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 844(e). If convicted, Bouvay faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Cazayoux stated, “This investigation is an example of the strong, collaborative efforts of university, local, state, and federal law enforcement. These investigative agencies moved expeditiously and decisively to identify and prosecute the individual responsible for the recent bomb threat against LSU. We appreciate the dedicated efforts of all agencies involved in quickly resolving this investigation. We will continue to work closely with District Attorney Hillar Moore to achieve the best result possible in this case which wreaked havoc and disrupted the lives of the people of LSU and the entire city of Baton Rouge.”

According to FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson, “This investigation should send a clear message to the public and to those who make such terroristic threats to elicit fear, that the FBI and its law enforcement partners will quickly and fully deploy all available resources to bring such individuals to justice.”

District Attorney Hillar Moore stated, “I again commend the strong efforts of our university, local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in quickly solving this crime. We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in our joint investigation and prosecution.”

“This investigation is an example of the success of law enforcement partnerships at the local, state, and federal level within Louisiana,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. “The swift culmination of this arrest is indicative of the overwhelming response and resources available to public safety agencies when we work together. I applaud the LSU Administration and the LSU Police Department for their leadership in this investigation.”

“I believe this incident was a prime example of all levels of the law enforcement community working together toward a common goal,” Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said. “That goal was the safety of the students, staff, and visitors on the LSU campus. I was impressed with the way all agencies on the local, state, and federal level worked together not only for the safety of those on campus, but also in the apprehension of the person responsible. I am pleased that the Sheriff’s Office could assist, and we will certainly be there to help anytime we are needed.”

Chief Lawrence Rabalais, LSU Police Department, stated, “The cooperation of the various agencies in this incident is a clear message that this type of action will not be tolerated in our community. The investigation and subsequent arrest, within 48 hours of the incident, are a strong indication of that message.”

The investigation is being conducted by the LSU Police, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office, FBI, ATF&E, U.S. Marshals Service, Louisiana State Police, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and Baton Rouge City Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frederick A. Menner, Jr.

Robbery of US Century Bank Branch in Miami

The FBI is releasing a photograph from a bank robbery that took place on September 17, 2012 at approximately 4:15 p.m. at the US Century Bank branch, 13780 Coral Way, Miami, Florida.

The robber approached the bank drive-through, communicated a bomb threat, and demanded money from a bank employee. The amount of money taken, if any, will not be released at this time.

A photo of the robber is below.

If anyone has information as to the identity of this bank robber, they are urged to call the FBI at (305) 944-9101 or Crimestoppers.

Kearny Man Pleads Guilty to Making Hoax Bomb Threat to City of Passaic

NEWARK—A Kearny, New Jersey man today admitted making a hoax bomb threat to the city of Passaic, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Caesar Canchucaja, 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court to an information charging him with knowingly providing false information indicating that damage by means of an explosive would take place.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Canchucaja called the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness on November 24, 2011—Thanksgiving Day—falsely identifying another individual as an associate of an alleged New York City bomb plotter and falsely stating that the individual was planning to blow something up in the city of Passaic at approximately 5 p.m. that day. No explosive devices were discovered.

The charge of making a hoax bomb threat is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2012.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents with the FBI-Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward; the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness; and the Passaic Police Department with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joyce M. Malliet of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark.

Suspect Arrested on Charges of Making a Bomb Threat

A 22-year-old man was taken into custody today in Streamwood, Illinois, in connection with a criminal complaint filed yesterday in U.S District Court in the Southern District of Iowa. Adylbek Kozubaev, whose permanent residence is unknown but who has ties to both Chicago and Janesville, Wisconsin, was arrested this morning without incident by agents of the FBI and officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police. Officers from the Streamwood Police Department also assisted in the arrest.

Kozubaev was charged in the one-count complaint with making a bomb threat, a felony offense. According to the complaint, Kozubaev placed a series of calls to the business office of a shopping mall in Davenport, Iowa, on August 29. In two of the calls, he claimed the mall was going to blow up.

Kozubaev appeared this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Chicago before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier, at which time he was formally charged and ordered held until his next court appearance, scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, at 12:15 p.m.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Federal Way Man Charged with Making Threats Against the President and Assaulting a Federal Agent

Brandished Shotgun at Law Enforcement Officers at His Door

SEATTLE—A Federal Way, Washington man who e-mailed threats against President Barack Obama appeared in U.S. District Court in Seattle today, charged by criminal complaint with making a threat against the president and assault of a federal agent or employee. Anton Calouri, 31, remains in custody at the Federal Detention Center at Sea-Tac, Washington. A detention hearing has been scheduled for Monday August 27, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.

“Recent national events are a stark reminder that we must take these threats of death or violence seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “This case had all the troubling ingredients: threats of violence and explosive devices, multiple weapons with hundreds of rounds, and even brandishing of a weapon at law enforcement.”

“The United States Secret Service takes all threats against its protectees seriously. This situation is indicative of how a routine investigation can very easily turn violent,” said James Helminski, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Secret Service Seattle. “We appreciate the professionalism of the Federal Way Police Department in defusing this potentially volatile situation and in the ongoing investigation.”

According to the criminal complaint, a U.S. Secret Service agent and members of the Federal Way Police Department went to Calouri’s apartment after he allegedly sent an e-mail threatening to kill the president to the FBI. When Calouri opened the apartment door to agents, he was holding a shotgun. He allegedly raised it, pointing it at law enforcement. The Secret Service agent and a Federal Way Police officer were able to wrestle the gun away from Calouri and subdue him. Due to the content of the e-mail threats and statements made by Calouri to law enforcement, the apartment was searched for explosives. No explosives were found. However, other high-powered weapons were found in the apartment.

Making a threat against the president is punishable by up to five years in prison. Assault of a federal agent is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Masada.

Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Emily Langlie (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.