ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WWJ) -- A Royal Oak man is facing numerous charges for allegedly threatening to bomb multiple churches over the weekend.
Royal Oak police say 33-year-old Adam Robert Laird was arraigned Sunday in 52-3 District Court on eight counts of false report or threat of terrorism and one count of telecommunications services -- malicious use. False report or threat of terrorism is a felony that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, while the malicious use of telecommunications charge is a misdemeanor that carries up to six months in jail.
Police say nine different churches in Royal Oak reported receiving bomb threats via email between 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Friday.
The churches that reported receiving the emails are:
- First Congregational Church, 1314 Northwood
- St. Mary's Catholic Church, 730 S. Lafayette
- Calvary Christian Church, 2203 E. Eleven Mile
- Unity of Royal Oak, 2500 Crooks
- Central Oaks Church, 2005 Rochester
- Royal Oak First Methodist Church, 320 W. Seventh
- Woodside Bible Church, 3620 Rochester
- Starr Presbyterian Church, 1717 W. Thirteen Mile
- St. John Episcopal Church, 26998 Woodward
An investigation involving Royal Oak police and members of the FBI led to Laird's arrest on Saturday. Police have not specified what the emails said or a possible motive behind Laird's threats.
Police say Laird has no criminal convictions and his bond was set at $500,000.00 cash/surety, no 10%. His next scheduled court appearance is set for Oct. 14, before Judge Derek Meinecke of the 44th District Court.
