East Hampton Man Charged with Placing Fake Bomb in Front of East Hampton Middle School
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 01, 2013 |
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, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging Sean Doran, 20, of East Hampton, with 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 in East Hampton on January 12, 2013.
The indictment was unsealed today during Doran’s initial appearance and arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford. Doran pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on a $50,000 bond.
“As alleged, the defendant purposefully placed a fake bomb right at the door of a Connecticut middle school,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein. “Hoaxes threaten the sense of security that children and teachers are entitled to enjoy in their school. This indictment should be a clear signal that all threats to schools will be vigorously investigated by my office.”
“The indictment of Mr. Doran should be a warning to those individuals who choose to disrupt and threaten everyday public life, hoax or no hoax,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “Placing a hoax bomb in a public location is criminal. Placing it outside a school is absolutely appalling. The FBI and its law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to bring to justice those responsible for such criminal conduct.”
If convicted of the charge, Doran faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case has been assigned to Chief United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford.
This matter is being 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.