MI Man Will Spend 1 Year In Jail For Bomb Threat At Michigan Capitol: Officials

MICHIGAN — A man was sentenced to a one year in jail for calling in a bomb threat at the Michigan Capitol, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday.

Michael Varrone, 49, of Charlotte pleaded guilty to false report or threat of a bomb/harmful device, officials said. Prosecutors dismissed two terrorism charges against him.

Judge James Jamo sentenced Varrone to 365 days in the Ingham County Jail with no possibility of early release and three years' probation. Varrone must also undergo mental health treatment as part of sentencing, officials said.

"Threatening the lives and safety of our elected officials and innocent bystanders is deplorable," Nessel said. "We treat every instance as a serious threat and will prosecute those who perpetrate such crimes to the fullest extent of the law."

Varrone called the Michigan House of Representatives six times On Dec. 12, and on at least one occasion threatened the life of Rep. Cynthia Johnson and her family members, according to the complaint.

Then on Jan. 7, Varrone called a control operator at the Capitol complex and said everyone needed to evacuate because the Capitol was going to explode.

The employee immediately reported the bomb threat to Michigan State Police, officials said. Authorities searched the Capitol and determined there was no real threat, officials said.