(WWJ) An Eaton County man is facing possible decades in prison after it's alleged he threatened to kill a Michigan state representative, and called in a bomb threat to the Capitol building.
Michael Varrone, 48, was arrested by the by the MSP Emergency Support Team and Fugitive Team outside his home in Charlotte, Thursday afternoon, and is lodged at the Lansing City Jail.
According to the Michigan Attorney General's Office, back on Dec. 12 Varrone called the Michigan House of Representatives six times and on at least one occasion threatened the life of Rep. Cynthia Johnson and her family, according to a complaint.
Then, Thursday morning, it's alleged Varrone called a control operator at the Capitol complex and said everyone needed to evacuate because the building was going to explode. The employee immediately reported the threat to police.
Capitol staff were then notified to ensure their safety and the building – which had already been closed to the public – was closed to staff. State Police swept the building and quickly determined the bomb threat to be false.
Following an investigation and arrest by Michigan State Police, AG Dana Nessel has charged Varrone with felony terrorism charges.
He was arraigned Friday 54-A District Court in Lansing on two counts of false report or threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony; and one count of false report or threat of bomb/harmful device, a four-year felony. One count of false report or threat of terrorism is related to alleged threatening calls to Johnson, while the other two charges stem from the bomb threat, officials said.
The court set Varrone's bond at $50,000 cash.
“Threats to our democracy must not be tolerated, and my office will work tirelessly to ensure the people who work and visit our Capitol can do so safely,” Nessel said. “I am grateful this incident did not result in any serious injury or harm. However, I hope this incident and the disgraceful tragedy that occurred Wednesday at our nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C., can serve as reminders of the security measures we must work to maintain and improve to protect the sanctity of our democracy and the safety of our people.”
Varrone has a probable cause conference scheduled for Jan. 22 and a preliminary exam scheduled for Jan. 28. Both hearings will be before Judge Kristen Simmons.