OKLAHOMA CITY – John C. Richter, United States attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, announced that Jason Ray Shandy, 19, of Tuttle, Okla., pled guilty June 30 in United States District Court to falsely reporting a plot to bomb at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO).
In pleading guilty, the defendant acknowledged in open court that he called the Edmond Police Department’s 911 Communications Center on April 22, 2008 and falsely reported that he had overheard three men talking about blowing up UCO. The defendant admitted that he knew it was false and illegal when he made the call and that he provided detailed descriptions in order that his false report would be believed. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed that his sentence could be enhanced by the Court based on his attempts to impede or obstruct the investigation in this case.
The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in May. The indictment alleged that around 10:30 p.m. on April 22, 2008, the defendant made an emergency 911 call to the Edmond Police Department reporting that he had overheard three Middle Eastern individuals at a 7-Eleven talking about blowing up UCO. Based on the report, a comprehensive response was initiated by civilian and law enforcement authorities, including the Edmond Police Department, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, the UCO Police, and the UCO Administration.
At sentencing, Shandy faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and restitution which include expenses incurred by the UCO, the UCO Police, Edmond Police and the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office. A sentencing hearing will be set by the Court within approximately 90 days.
The case is a result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Edmond Police Department, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, and the UCO Police. The case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney John C. Richter.
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Department of Justice June 30, 2008 press release
