CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A St. Thomas man who served federal prison time in 2012 for making bomb threats is facing a possible 10-year prison sentence after making similar threats against The Ritz-Carlton, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court.
Rudy Cook, 50, was charged in a criminal information on January 7 with nine counts of making a threat involving explosives, a federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Cook pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court before Judge Curtis Gomez to two counts of calling in bomb threats, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said today.
According to court documents, on or around September 18, 2018, Cook called in a bomb threat to the Ritz Carlton Hotel on St. Thomas stating that three bombs planted at the hotel would explode at noon.
On that same day Cook made a 911 call stating that there were bombs located at the Ritz Carlton Hotel that would explode and kill a lot of people.
Cook faces a maximum period of supervised release of three years. In addition, Cook faces a maximum fine of $250,000.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, according to Shappert.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter
