A Pompton Plains man was charged today with maliciously calling in a bomb threat to a religious institution, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials say James Triano, 36, was charged by federal criminal indictment with one count of maliciously conveying false information about an explosive. The defendant is scheduled to appear later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case:
On March 21, 2017, Triano allegedly called a religious institution in Livingston, New Jersey, and maliciously conveyed false information concerning an attempt being made to kill, injure, and intimidate individuals inside, and to damage and destroy the religious institution, by means of an explosive.
The count with which Triano has been charged is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.