V.I. man accused of sending bomb threat via text
Published: January 30, 2012
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ST. THOMAS - The days of misspelled bomb threats sent by text message have arrived.
The FBI arrested a man Friday in connection with threats to kill workers and destroy a gas station and fuel storage business in Estate Lindbergh Bay.
The disgruntled worker sent the threats via text message to the business owner's cell phone Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, according to a statement the FBI issued Friday. The man apparently was motivated to make the threats because he does not like to work on Mondays, according to the FBI.
The business had to close for the day Jan. 17 because of the threats.
FBI agents traced the messages to Rudy Cook, 43, of Estate Lovenlund, who was arrested Friday and charged with threatening to kill, injure or intimidate while using a phone.
The charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence.
The text message sent at 7:51 a.m. Jan. 17 made reference to killing employees and destroying the business, according to the FBI press release.
The Jan. 17 texts stated: "gas station would be blown up between 12 and 2, and kill a lot of people," according to an affidavit filed by FBI special agent Rafael Fernandez.
The business owner thinks Cook sent the messages because he "has had some reservations about working on Mondays, and believes that he may be making these threats to get the business to shut down on those days," Fernandez wrote.
A text message sent Jan. 24 indicated the business "would have a lot of blood on hands, so you better close today, your gas station has 2 hrs left boom, yeah we see the police there guest they can't find the devise. we put in there god luck and finding it you going to," Fernandez wrote.
Cook's criminal record includes six arrests on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a stolen firearm, forgery, forgery and embezzlement, grand larceny, felony forgery and felony grand larceny, according to the affidavit.
Cook was advised of his rights on the charge Friday in U.S. District Court.
Cook's detention hearing is scheduled for today in District Court.
The threats were Boynes Trucking System's third this month.
The first threat was sent at 12:29 p.m. Jan. 5 according to the police blotter.
- Contact reporter Michael Todd at 714-9104 or email mtodd@dailynews.vi.
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