Associated Press
SPOKANE — A man who claimed he brought a bomb to the office of the Spokane County Democrats in December could face up to five years in federal prison.
The Spokesman-Review reports that Peter James Yeager, 45, of Grand Coulee, was charged Tuesday with a single count of damaging by fire a building used in interstate commerce. The charge carries a minimum prison sentence of five years, and could be punishable by up to 20 years.
Authorities contend Yeager traveled to Spokane with gasoline, oil, toilet paper and a camping lighter, which he used to set fire to the building housing both the party offices and the local chapter of the Teamsters on Dec. 9. Workers there said Yeager threatened them with a bomb, and one member of the Teamsters said he was briefly held hostage by Yeager inside the building.
Yeager has also been charged with first-degree arson, first-degree burglary and threats to bomb or injure property in Spokane County Superior Court, and is being held in the Spokane County Jail on $500,000 bond.
A competency examination has been ordered in the state case.
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