False Bomb Threats At Dededo Mall Result In Federal Charges

GUAM –ALICIA A.G. LIMTIACO, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced the filing on October 30, 2013, of federal criminal charges against MICHAEL SAN NICOLAS SANTOS stemming from recent bomb threats directed at the Dededo Mall.

The federal criminal complaint (a copy of which is attached) alleges that on three occasion – September 26, 2013, October 10, 2013, and October 29, 2013 – SANTOS, using a cellular phone, called 911 and falsely reported a bomb threat to the Dededo Mall located in Dededo, Guam. On each of those dates, SANTOS was scheduled to appear as a defendant in a small claims case pending in the Superior Court of Guam, Northern Court Satellite, which is located in the Dededo Mall. Each of the phone calls was made shortly before SANTOS’ scheduled court appearance and caused the evacuation of the court and other occupants of the Dededo Mall, and the continuance of SANTOS’ hearing and all court cases. Santos was arrested on October 29, 2013, shortly after the most recent bomb threat.

The complaint charges three counts of violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e). Under that statute, it is a federal criminal offense to willfully make a threat or maliciously convey false information, through the use of a telephone, an instrument of interstate or foreign commerce, concerning an alleged attempt being made to unlawfully damage or destroy a building by means of an explosive. Each violation of the statute carries a maximum potential sentence of ten years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The defendant made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joaquin V.E. Manibusan, Jr. on October 30, 2013, at 10:00 am. The Court set a preliminary examination hearing for November 13, 2013, at 2:30 pm, and remanded the defendant to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Guam Police Department, E911 personnel, the Guam Fire Department, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marivic David.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.