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Man accused of threatening university students

Posted September 29, 2014 1:01 am

Associated Press

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. - A Chicago man has been charged with making bomb and violence threats against students, faculty and staff of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Federal prosecutors announced Monday 21-year-old Derrick Dawon Burns is accused of making the threats on Oct. 10, 2012, Oct. 15, 2012, December 6, 2012, and Oct. 1, 2013.

The charges were filed in the southern district of Illinois. However, Burns appeared Monday in a Chicago federal court, where he was ordered held without bond pending a Wednesday detention hearing.

U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton didn't reveal a motive for the threats, nor what led to Burns' arrest.

Prosecutors say if convicted, Burns faces 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each of eight counts filed against him.

It wasn't immediately known if Burns has an attorney.

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