Chicago Man Faces up to 40 Years for SIU Threats

A Chicago man has been indicted on federal charges stemming from several bomb threats police say he made to Southern Illinois University students, faculty and staff.

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Stephen R. Wigginton announced Thursday that 21-year-old Derrick Dawon Burns, of Chicago was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday on four federal charges related to a series of bomb and violence threats on Oct. 10, 2012, Oct. 15, 2012, Dec. 6, 2012, and Oct. 1,2013. The four federal charges of willfully making a bomb threat each carry maximum penalties of ten years in federal prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a$100 special assessment.

After a two year investigation, authorities arrested Burns in Chicago on Sep. 29. Burns is being held without bond pending his trial date, which has not yet been set.