Home Springfield Press Releases 2010 Grand Jury Indicts Former Student for Alleged Bomb Threats at Western Illinois University
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Grand Jury Indicts Former Student for Alleged Bomb Threats at Western Illinois University

U.S. Attorney’s Office December 09, 2010
  • Central District of Illinois (217) 492-4450

PEORIA, IL—A federal grand jury in Springfield today returned a nine-count indictment charging Cameron McKoy, 18, a former Western Illinois University student, with making bomb threats to the university. McKoy, of Chicago, was arrested on Nov. 16, and charged in a criminal complaint. U.S. Magistrate Judge John A. Gorman ordered that McKoy remain detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The indictment alleges McKoy made a bomb threat by telephone on Oct. 25, 2010, and that he made eight additional bomb threats using an automated calling service as follows: on Nov. 4; Nov. 5 at 2:23 p.m.; Nov. 5 at 4:03 p.m.; Nov. 6 at 11:19 a.m.; Nov. 6 at 12:45 p.m.; Nov. 6 at 2:43 p.m.; Nov. 9; and on Nov. 11.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, McKoy allegedly used a telephone to make a bomb threat to Tanner Hall, a freshman dormitory on the campus of Western Illinois University in Macomb, on Oct. 25, 2010. The affidavit further alleged that a series of automated telephone calls containing threats to WIU residence halls were made during the period from Oct. 25 to Nov. 11, 2010. According to the affidavit, each of the threats was determined to be a hoax.

If convicted, the statutory penalty for each count of making a bomb threat is up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety. Agencies assisting in the response and investigation include the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greggory R. Walters in cooperation with the McDonough County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The U.S. Clerk of the Court will schedule a date for arraignment in federal court in Peoria, at which time a trial schedule will be determined.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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