A bomb threat called in to the Lenoir County Courthouse proved to be only words.
According to the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, an unknown person made several calls to LCSO staff around 3:40 p.m. Monday. The caller said there was a bomb somewhere in the courthouse. The person called the Lenoir County Clerk’s Office and made the same claim.
Deputies cleared the courthouse of staff, visitors and Lenoir County commissioners while investigating the buildings and grounds. Law enforcement was unable to find a bomb in the building or on the grounds.
“We are now working with CenturyLink to determine the origin of the calls,” Lenoir County Sheriff Chris Hill said in a statement. “If the caller is identified, they will be charged with the felony of making a false report of incendiary devices.”
He added, “These types of calls occur about once per year at the courthouse. They cause a disruption of all of the services that are ongoing at the time and needlessly frighten people.”
The LCSO will provide a $1,000 reward to anyone who comes forward with reliable information as to the caller’s identity.
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wes.wolfe@kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.