Sikeston man pleads guilty to making bomb threat to avoid court date

A Sikeston, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false bomb threat over the summer in a Scott County courtroom.

William C. Scott, 39, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to the charge before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.

On June 24, Scott was scheduled to appear before Associate Circuit Judge Scott Horman in the Circuit Court of Scott County on a criminal charge. Scott was in the courtroom in Scott County just prior to his case setting. Around 9:16 a.m., a telephone call was received in the court clerk's office. The caller stated that there was a bomb in Horman's court then disconnected the call.

Law enforcement officers were notified about the threat. They cleared the courthouse and searched it for a bomb. No bomb was found.

During the search, all the courthouse functions for that building were suspended.

The officers that investigated the call focused on people who had cases pending that day. The courtroom video showed Scott leaving the courtroom at 9:15 a.m. A further search of cell phone records revealed that the cell phone that made the call was subscribed to by William C. Scott. Officers contacted Scott, who had the cell phone on his person that made the call.

On July 1, Scott was interviewed about the telephone call and admitted that he made the phone call and the bomb threat.

Scott now faces a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Jan. 6.