A Canadian teen who called in a bomb threat to Princeton University in September 2020 recently pleaded guilty in Mercer County Family Court, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
According to county officials, the 16-year-old male, whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile, entered a guilty plea to one count of third-degree false public alarm on May 28.
Officials said that he was sentenced to a probationary term of two years along with conditions that he perform 30 hours of community service, pay a $2,000 fine, surrender his driver’s license for six months, and undergo a psychological evaluation and follow any recommendations that result.
According to authorities, on September 19, 2020, the Princeton University Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a phone call from an individual reporting that he had placed improvised explosive devices in several locations on campus, including the Art Museum, Firestone Library, Nassau Hall and the Chapel.
University officials said that the buildings were evacuated and searched to ensure the safety of all members of the community. No explosive devices were found.
Multiple law enforcement agencies across the United States and Canada participated in the extensive investigation of this incident.
At DPS, the investigation was led by Detective Martin Krzywicki. The investigation resulted in the identification of the suspect and the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
Police said that the suspect was taken into custody in Louisiana on March 24, by the local sheriff’s department to face charges signed by DPS detectives.
The teen will now be extradited to Connecticut to face similar charges in that jurisdiction.