Man pleads guilty to threatening to damage government buildings

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeremy E. Smith, 37, an incarcerated individual at the United States Penitentiary at Hazelton, pled guilty to threatening to destroy government buildings, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Smith mailed threats to destroy buildings in Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago on November 26, 2015. He was convicted on one count of “Threat to Damage Buildings by Use of Explosives.” 

He faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah W. Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service and the Special Investigative Services at USP Hazleton investigated.

U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.