United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

MAN IN U.S. ON STUDENT VISA CHARGED WITH POSTING BOMB THREAT HOAX ON UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT WEBSITE

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven today returned an Indictment charging SHRIKRISHNA GURUMURTHI, (DOB 4/21/1981) of Chicago, Illinois, with making a hoax bomb threat to the University of Bridgeport. According to documents filed in court in connection with this matter, GURUMURTHI is a citizen of India in the United States on a student visa, and has attended the University of Bridgeport.

According to the Indictment, GURUMURTHI posted a threat on www.bridgeport.edu, a website hosted by the University of Bridgeport, stating, among other things, that “Indian students are going to plant several bombs in various locations of this univ.” and “Going to happen soon. Watch out.”

“This charge demonstrates that individuals who make threats of mass violence, however real or intended, will be prosecuted to the extent that federal law allows,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor noted that this case is being prosecuted under the relatively new hoax bomb threat statute, which makes it a crime to convey false and misleading information under circumstances where such information indicates that a bombing, or similar activity, will take place. [18 U.S.C. § 1038(a).]

As a result of this charge, GURUMURTHI was arrested in Chicago on January 20, 2006. GURUMURTHI is presently detained and is scheduled to be arraigned on February 9, at 9:15 a.m., before United States Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven.

As a result of this indictment, GURUMURTHI is subject to a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Ring and Mark Rubino.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov