The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice are speaking out following a series of fake bomb threats that were levied throughout Mississippi last week and over the weekend.
Officials are asking the public to continue to report possible threats to law enforcement, despite the most recent ones directed at several airports and a handful of Jewish synagogues in the state being deemed hoaxes.
Airports such as the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, Tupelo Regional, Gulfport-Biloxi International, Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional, and Stennis International had to suspend operations due to the threats. The other bomb threat hoaxes came at Jewish temples in Columbus, Tupelo, and Jackson.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety of citizens of all races and religions,” U.S. Attorney Todd Gee said. “All threats are taken very seriously, and we will continue to work closely with the FBI to bring to justice those who choose to incite fear in our communities.”
The FBI reiterates that it follows up on every tip received from the public and analyzes them to determine their credibility. Federal, state, and local law enforcement then employ a full range of tools to mitigate those threats that are deemed credible.
Making false threats drains law enforcement resources and costs taxpayers a lot of money, officials say, which has prompted the possibility of harsher penalties being issued to those found guilty of making faux threats.
When an investigation concludes there was a hoax threat made to an institution or another public place, a federal charge could be considered, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If a federal charge is not warranted, state charges could be considered.
“The FBI prioritizes the protection of community members from those who seek to intimidate and bring fear upon citizens,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Jackson Field Office said. “We remain committed to tirelessly seeking out those individuals and holding them accountable for their nefarious actions intended to instill fear upon citizens based on biases.”
If there is any reason to believe the safety of others is at risk, officials ask for the public to first reach out to their local police department by dialing 911, or by contacting the Jackson FBI via tips.fbi.gov or over the phone at (1-800)CALL-FBI.
