PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of making a threat by telephone to destroy a building, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Albert Morris, 60, of the City’s Homewood neighborhood, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge William S. Stickman.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Feb. 1, 2021, Albert Morris called in two bomb threats: one related to the William S. Moorhead federal building in downtown Pittsburgh, the other related to the J. Edgar Hoover building in Washington, D.C.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for July 7, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Morris on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Morris.