Oahu Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Emailing Bomb Threats

HONOLULU - United States Attorney Clare E. Connors announced that Bryan Melvin Brandenburg, 65, of Oahu, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi to 70 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release for sending e-mail threats to bomb buildings in Utah, California, and across the United States. Brandenburg was previously convicted at trial by a federal jury of seven counts involving sending the threatening e-mails.

According to information provided to the court, in May 2022, Brandenburg, who was residing on Oahu at the time, was awaiting the outcome of a divorce proceeding in a Utah state court. On May 4, 2022, after receiving the divorce decision, Brandenburg sent an e-mail to two judicial employees and others threatening to bomb the state courthouse. Throughout the course of the day, Brandenburg sent additional e-mails threatening to bomb the Utah State Capitol, Mayor's office in Salt Lake City, every Ivy League university, and the United States District Courthouse in San Diego, California. On May 6, 2022, Brandenburg sent additional e-mails threatening to bomb Hall Labs and the University of Utah Center for Medical Innovation, both located in Utah.

As a result of Brandenburg's threats, the Utah State Court initiated extensive security measures including increased screenings and surveillance reviews, searches by all available court deputies, and security briefings for related personnel. The University of Utah Police Department diverted nearly all police officers to the Center for Medical Innovation and evacuated multiple buildings including students taking a final examination. The Provo Police Department conducted a search at Hall Labs. Ultimately, no bombing devices were found. At trial, Brandenburg admitted that he wanted "to raise eyebrows" and have people "take my e-mails seriously," and that he took "extreme measures" in sending the e-mails.

At sentencing, Judge Kobayashi called Brandenburg's actions "totally inappropriate," explaining that "it doesn't matter who you are, you don't treat people like that" and that "in a humane society, we don't lash out."

"Threats to cause harm, no matter if made over email or in person, will simply not be tolerated," said U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors. "Words have consequence, as demonstrated by this prosecution and the court's sentence. Think before you speak, click send, or otherwise target someone in this manner - otherwise, we will hold you accountable under the law."

"Making threats to harm innocent people is incomprehensible and will not be tolerated," said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill. "When this type of incident is reported, it is always treated as a threat, and therefore drains valuable resources from law enforcement and endangers the wellbeing of our communities."

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, University of Utah Police Department, and Provo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys W. KeAupuni Akina and Darren W.K. Ching prosecuted the case.