Alleged Threat Prompts Capitol Evacuation
A Pocatello resident has been charged after state authorities say he falsely reported a bomb threat to the Idaho Capitol earlier this month.
Donald Hawkins, 58, was arrested Thursday and charged with one felony count of falsely reporting explosives, according to the Idaho State Police. The charge stems from an incident on October 8, when threatening calls were made to a property management firm in Pocatello and later to the Idaho Capitol in Boise.
Timeline of Events
- 10:15 a.m., Oct. 8: Pocatello police responded to reports of threatening calls made to Equity Property Management.
- The caller, later identified as Hawkins, allegedly threatened to “blow them up,” according to state police.
- Roughly 20 minutes later, a similar call from the same number was made to the Capitol in Boise, claiming a bomb had been planted inside.
Although the Capitol was evacuated as a precaution, no explosive device was found.
Felony Charge Filed in Bannock County
Hawkins was booked into the Bannock County Detention Center and appeared before Judge Thomas Clark on Thursday. His bail was set at $5,000.
Despite the Capitol evacuation, Hawkins is currently charged only in connection with the threat made to the Pocatello property management office, not the Capitol. The Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet indicated whether additional charges will follow.
Court Proceedings and Investigation
Hawkins is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on October 29 at the Bannock County Courthouse.
Investigators said a voice match confirmed Hawkins was responsible for both calls. He had already been taken into protective custody on the day of the threats, and further investigation led to the formal charge.
No Public Alert System in Place for Capitol Incidents
Though the Capitol was evacuated, the public was not notified at the time. Idaho State Police confirmed they do not operate a public alert system for threats involving the Capitol. That responsibility falls to the Idaho Department of Administration, which has not confirmed whether it maintains such a system.
Coordination Between Agencies
Idaho State Police credited the Pocatello Police Department and the Department of Administration for their assistance in the investigation, noting that the agencies worked together to secure the premises and identify the suspect.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
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