An Augusta man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for threatening to blow up the Augusta Social Security Administration office after being asked to return an overpayment.
Keyon Tishaye Dickens, 39, pleaded guilty to using a phone to call in a threat to use explosives on the Robert C. Daniel Parkway building.
Chief U.S. District Judge J. Randal Hall gave Dickens the prison sentence plus three years of supervised release, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
“Threats of violence against workers and customers of any facility are completely unacceptable,” U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg said. “We commend our law enforcement partners for ensuring the safety of those in the Social Security office and assisting in holding Keyon Dickens accountable for his actions.”
After receiving a notice the overpaid funds would be taken out of his SSI checks, Dickens called the office and said he was going to shoot it up or blow it up. He then went to the office with a backpack and handed a guard a note stating, “I have a bomb.”
“Americans should not have to fear for their lives simply for doing their jobs or going about their daily errands,” said FBI Atlanta Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Matthew Ploskunak.
“Keyon Dickens’ malicious actions are criminal and intolerable. This sentence demonstrates that threats to Social Security employees and offices are felonious and will not be ignored. We will continue to aggressively respond to threats, investigate the perpetrators and seek prosecution,” said Michelle L. Anderson, acting SSA inspector general.
