Arrest made for courthouse bomb threat

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - The Newport News Sheriff's Office is sending a strong message that it takes bomb threats seriously.

21-year-old Devon Tyrell Slaughter is facing four felony counts of threats to bomb in connection with a February 20 incident.

According to Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kathleen Carey, a bomb threat on that date led to the temporary shutdown of all three Newport News courthouses. Investigators traced the threatening call to a pay phone outside a convenience store in the 4700 block of Marshall Avenue and say it was Slaughter who placed the call. The Sheriff's Office determined Slaughter was trying to delay his sentencing on a malicious wounding conviction, which was scheduled the morning of February 20 in Newport News. Slaughter was in the Newport News Jail for the malicious wounding charge when he was arrested for the bomb threat.

Sheriff Gabe Morgan said, "My position is to send a strong message to anyone who attempts to impede the justice system, whether through witness intimidation or by disrupting court proceedings. We will use all available resources to bring them to justice."

Slaughter is being held with no bond.