East Hampton Man Admits Placing Fake Bomb in Front of East Hampton Middle School

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, announced that Sean Doran, 21, of East Hampton, pleaded guilty today before Chief United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of intentionally conveying false or misleading information and a hoax by leaving a fake bomb device at the front doors of East Hampton Middle School on January 12, 2013.

“This type of crime threatens the sense of security that children and teachers are entitled to enjoy at their schools,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein. “Hoax crimes and threats to schools will be thoroughly investigated by our law enforcement partners and prosecuted by this office to the fullest extent permitted by law.”

“Public safety is critical in any civilized society,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “To that end, the FBI will investigate and bring to justice those who threaten the sanctity of public life. The FBI wants to assure the citizens of the state of Connecticut and the nation that, together with our federal, state, and local partners, we are truly committed to identifying threats to public safety, as that is our first obligation.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 8:00 a.m. on January 12, 2013, custodians at the East Hampton Middle School arrived to find a device leaning against the front doors of the school. The device was a rectangular box, approximately 12 inches by eight inches by four inches in size, taped together with orange and red duct tape, with a white egg timer on top. School employees contacted the East Hampton Police Department, which subsequently notified the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad. The bomb squad arrived on the scene and determined that the device did not contain any explosives.

A review of the East Hampton Middle School’s surveillance video revealed that Doran placed the fake bomb at the doors of the school at approximately 1:47 a.m. that day.

Chief Judge Thompson has scheduled sentencing for August 1, 2013, at which time Doran faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s JTTF, the East Hampton Police Department, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Anjna R. Kapoor.