Jury Finds Man Guilty of Threatening to Bomb Connecticut Company
| U.S. Attorney’s Office July 23, 2012 |
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found Shaneel Jain, 56, currently residing in Cumberland, Rhode Island, guilty of threatening to bomb the facilities of a Wallingford company. The trial before United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny began on July 16, and the jury returned its verdict today.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, Z-Medica Corporation is a Wallingford-based company that produces QuickClot, a medical agent that rapidly stops bleeding outside the surgical setting. QuickClot is used by the United States military and the militaries of some allied countries.
On April 23, 2010, Jain made a series of telephone calls from India to Z-Medica. At the time, Jain was engaged in a civil law suit with Z-Medica based on their prior business relationship. During these phone calls, Jain threatened to bomb Z-Medica within 24 hours. He also said that he was a terrorist who had done this before and that American law “couldn’t touch” him.
As a result of the threat, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wallingford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police conducted searches of Z-Medica’s facilities. Z-Medica also cancelled shifts, which resulted in an order for QuickClot being delayed. The company also utilized private security for several weeks.
No bomb or other explosive was ever found at Z-Medica.
Jain was convicted of one count of making a bomb threat and one count of false information and hoaxes. Judge Chatigny has scheduled sentencing for October 16, 2012, at which time Jain faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $1 million.
Jain has been released on bond since his arrest on March 19, 2012.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wallingford Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Neeraj Patel and Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Freimann and Paul McConnell.