Man admits White House threats
Published 10:37 pm Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A Gold Bar man who posted threats online about bombing the White House pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Joseph Lee Bernritter, 29, could serve a year in jail, but both the prosecutor and the defense attorney will recommend that he serve nine months, deputy prosecutor Halley Hupp said.
U.S. Secret Service agents said he used a computer to post threats to bomb the White House in July.
The posts read “Bomb President,” “Bomb White House” and “No Joke. I will bomb the White House.”
One person in the chat room suggested Bernritter “have fun with that,” Hupp wrote.
“Send us a postcard from prison,” added another.
Secret Service agents and Monroe police were investigating separate bomb threat cases when they wound up talking with Bernritter.
Sentencing is set for July 26.
