ANTHONY TUCKER MENDOZA, age 43, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for threatening to destroy a FEMA facility by means of explosives, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

MENDOZA was arrested earlier this month and released on bond after appearing before a federal Magistrate Judge. According to court documents, on September 5, 2012, MENDOZA called a FEMA call center and told an employee he was going to blow up a FEMA site located at 19868 Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans, Louisiana because a FEMA Inspector lied to him regarding disaster assistance. MENDOZA stated “People will know I was there! I am going to blow FEMA up!” MENDOZA was arrested by New Orleans Police Department Officers and later transferred into the custody of the Federal Protective Service. MENDOZA voluntarily admitted that he contacted the FEMA call center and made the threat because he was unhappy with a FEMA Inspector’s decision regarding disaster assistance for his home in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

If convicted, MENDOZA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey N. Knight and investigated by DHS Federal Protective Service Inspectors.

(Download Indictment )

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