CRIME & COURTS

Arrest warrant issued in courthouse bomb threat

Ben Rodgers
brodgers@dmreg.com

The Jasper County Courthouse in Newton locked its doors Monday morning after two calls were made threatening the detonation of explosive devices, county officials said.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Department later issued an arrest warrant for Martin Meloche, 39, of Newton on two counts of false reporting of the placement of an explosive or incendiary device, WHO reported Monday night.

According to online court documents, Meloche was scheduled to be sentenced on felony drug charges Monday morning.

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said an employee in the county treasurer's office received a phone call threat that a bomb would go off at 10 a.m.

The sheriff's department discovered a voicemail had been left at the same office earlier in the morning making the same threat.

Courthouse officials evacuated the premises immediately after the call came in, Halferty said.

Two sweeps of the building were made by law enforcement officers who were unable to find any suspicious devices.

Local businesses near the courthouse were notified by law enforcement of the threat and had the option to close their doors if they wished.

Halferty said that a number of businesses did close after being notified.

"We felt that we had cleared the building well enough that there was not a device in the building, but we also knew that the immediate area probably needed to know," Halferty said. "We like to let them make the decision."

The courthouse reopened its doors at 2 p.m. Monday.

Halferty said earlier Monday that once an arrest is made, the caller would more than likely face felony charges.

Meloche is believed to be staying in the Newton area. Anyone who has information on his location is asked to contact the Jasper County sheriff's office at 641-792-5912.