Oklahoma City Man Pleads Guilty in Hoax Bomb Threat Case

OKLAHOMA CITY – Kenyata O’Keefe Thomas, 42, of Oklahoma City, entered a guilty plea today to intentionally conveying false and misleading information by making a hoax bomb threat to the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), announced U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing.

"Our campuses should be a place of safety for students to learn and grow, and for faculty and staff to serve students without fear of an attack," said U.S. Attorney Downing.  "Our office and law enforcement partners, including the FBI, have zero tolerance for actions like this hoax bomb threat that disrupt the safety and sense of well-being on our campuses.  Here, the hoax was made on the day that Oklahomans were already reflecting on the horrific act of the Oklahoma City bombing—the deadliest domestic terrorism attack in our Nation’s history."

A criminal information was filed in March 2020 against Thomas that charged him with a single count of making a hoax bomb threat on April 19, 2019.  According to the information, Thomas intentionally conveyed false and misleading information to UCO that an unnamed person was planning to detonate a bomb on UCO’s campus.  Thomas made the hoax bomb threat on the 24th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

At sentencing, Thomas faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Sentencing will take place in approximately ninety days.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Oklahoma City Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, with assistance from the University of Central Oklahoma Police Department and the Edmond Police Department.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Stoneman prosecuted the case.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.  To download a photo of U.S. Attorney Downing, click here.