Suspect pleads guilty in Augusta Social Security bomb threat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A Richmond County man entered a guilty plea to a federal charge related to a bomb threat last year targeting the Social Security istration’s Augusta office.
Keyon Tishaye Dickens, 38, of Augusta, pleaded guilty to using a telephone to make a threat to injure a person or damage a building by explosives, according to prosecutors.
He could get up to 10 years in prison.
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As described in the plea agreement, Dickens received a notice in September 2023 that the Social Security istration intended to recoup overpayments to his Supplemental Security Income from future checks.
He called the Social Security istration office in Augusta to complain and stated, “I’m going to shoot the office up and I’m going to blow it up. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do.”
Dickens visited the office on Oct. 10, 2023, carrying a backpack and showed a note that read “I have a bomb” to a security officer.
The officer notified the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the building was locked down and evacuated. No bomb was found, and Richmond County deputies took Dickens into custody.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing for Dickens later.
“Threats against SSA employees and property will not be tolerated. SSA employees provide critical services to the public and should never have to face threats as they carry out their official duties. My office will continue to make their safety our highest priority,” said Gail S. Ennis, SSA inspector general.
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