Man pleads guilty in Fayette County to making bomb threats
A Maryland man pleaded guilty in Fayette County Court to a lesser charge of harassment for making bomb threats to multiple banks in June.
On Monday, Horace Lewis James, 77, of Dundalk, Maryland pleaded guilty to the charge of harassment before Fayette County President Judge John F. Wagner Jr.
According to court documents, prosecutors will not pursue the charges of bomb threats and terroristic threats, both felonies, that were filed against James in May.
In June 2015, James made calls claiming he placed bombs at multiple First National Bank locations.
During James’ preliminary hearing in May, Grindstone First National Bank manager J. Radcliffe testified that a caller demanded a $500,000 bank loan be endorsed.
James allegedly said he placed bombs at First National Bank locations in Grindstone, Hermitage in Mercer County and Berlin in Somerset County.
A similar call was also reported to a First National Bank location in State College June 19. James was only charged in Fayette and Mercer counties.
James was interviewed by the FBI’s Baltimore field agents after a search of phone records.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, James blamed First National Bank for his financial ruin.
Court documents show that James’ guilty plea on the misdemeanor count of harassment could come with a sentence of probation and a fine with no duration or set cost listed.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
James is free on $25,000 unsecured bond and is represented by Attorney Vincent Tiberi.
He is currently awaiting trial in Mercer County on the same three charges where he’s being represented by Attorney James Matthew Goodwin.