Laredo Resident Arrested for Threatening to Blow Up Federal Building
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 27, 2014 |
LAREDO, TX—Cristina Lara, 43, has been charged with threatening to blow up the building that houses the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Laredo, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
The criminal complaint, filed under seal March 17, 2014, was unsealed this morning as she was taken into custody by federal authorities. Lara is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga tomorrow morning.
According to the charges, the DEA received a voicemail message on the morning of February 21, 2014, from an anonymous caller threatening to blow up the building. The entire building, which houses the DEA offices as well as other federal agencies, was evacuated immediately.
The FBI traced the message to a phone number located within the Laredo Medical Center, which is allegedly attached to a particular phone located in the reception area of the building. Video surveillance allegedly shows Lara using the phone at the same time the call was made.
If convicted, Lara faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
The case is being investigated by FBI is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonah Lee.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.