ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Omer Fadhel Saleh Mohammed, 31, of Rochester, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making false bomb threats. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, between September 24, 2012 and January 24, 2013, the defendant made 21 calls to 911 claiming that a terrorist was going to bomb the Kodak Corporation. For instance, the complaint alleges that during one call Mohammed stated the terrorists were “going to blow up the big Kodak.” The 911 calls that specifically referenced Kodak resulted in emergency responses by the Rochester Police and Fire Departments.
The defendant made an initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson on February 4, 2013. Mohammed was release on his own recognizance and is due back in court March 4, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
