TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County man who called in false bomb threats to the Monmouth County Courthouse, an elected official’s home, and a police headquarters admitted his guilt and is now awaiting sentencing.
Eric G. Hafner, 31, formerly of Monmouth County admitted making threatening telephone and email communications to New Jersey state officials, judges, law enforcement officers, and attorneys, and phoning in false bomb threats to local and state government offices, a police department, two law firms and a commercial establishment, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
According to court records, between July 2016 and May 2018, while residing outside the United States, Hafner communicated threats to numerous individuals located in and around Monmouth County and elsewhere.
“The victims were elected officials, judges, police officers, attorneys, and their families. Hafner sought to extort $350,000 from some of his victims,” U.S. Attorney Phillip Sellinger said. “During this time period, Hafner also made false bomb threats to an elected official’s office, a county courthouse, a police department, two law firms, and a commercial establishment.”
Sellinger said the count of making threatening communications in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to extort carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of conveying false information concerning the use of an explosive device carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The count of making threatening communications in interstate or foreign commerce carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Hafner’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 21, 2022.