Maine Judicial Branch Responds to Bomb Threat

Date: 1/4/2024

This morning, some Maine Judicial Branch employees received an email containing a general statement that bombs had been planted in or around courthouses in the state. It did not identify any specific location.

Judicial Marshals immediately contacted the Maine Information Analysis Center (MIAC), the primary intelligence resource managed by the Maine State Police. MIAC had not heard of any specific threats to the Maine courts prior to our inquiry. MIAC did advise that they were aware of recent similar acts, deemed to be hoaxes, that were attributed to the senders of the email to the Maine Judicial Branch. The same group sent a similar email regarding explosives in the Maine State House on January 3rd.

Although initial indications pointed to a hoax, the Judicial Branch took the necessary precautions, depending on the location, to ensure that the public was not in danger. The York Judicial Center was closed for the day and searched. The Cumberland County Courthouse was evacuated and searched. The Capital Judicial Center closed to the public while a search commenced. Both the Cumberland County Courthouse and the Capital Judicial Center have reopened. The York Judicial Center will reopen tomorrow, January 5. All other courthouses were checked for security risks or anything that seemed out of the ordinary. No explosives were found in any courthouse location.

The Maine Judicial Branch wants the public to feel safe while in a Judicial Branch facility. Should we experience another similar threat, we will take all precautions necessary to protect public safety. We will also continue to work with the Maine State Police and other law enforcement agencies to catch the perpetrators responsible for the threats.

Barbara A. Cardone
Director of Legal Affairs and Public Relations
207-213-2803
barbara.cardone@courts.maine.gov