Threatening To Blow Up A Nuclear Power Plant Will Not Lower Your Utility Bill

Image courtesy of (Chickee510)

Upset about some new surcharges on his power bill, a Louisiana man did what no one should absolutely ever, in any world, even consider doing — he allegedly threatened to blow up a nuclear power plant.

The 48-year-old was charged by a federal grand jury on Thursday with two counts of using a telephone to make threats to kill individuals and damage or destroy buildings.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the man, who feels that he shouldn’t have to pay a surcharge aimed at paying repairs for hurricane damage, was arrested by the FBI on Oct. 11 after allegedly leaving two threatening voicemails for employees of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and then apparently repeating that threat to a live caller during a call monitored by an FBI agent.

In the first voicemail, on which the caller made no attempt to hide his name or telephone number, he reportedly said, “I will go and blow up that nuclear plant, and I know you really don’t want me to do that because it will blow up this whole United States, and I don’t care. I’ve already died twice, and it doesn’t mean anything to me.”

The follow-up voicemail included the statement, “I’m telling you, I will start killing these people and walk away scot-free. You better get in touch with me.”

No weapons or explosives were found on the man’s property. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

If you believe that your utility company is improperly charging a fee, we suggest you complain to your local legislators. You may even want to discuss with a lawyer. But we can’t stress enough that threatening to blow things up will not get you anywhere.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.