Sheriff: man confesses to courthouse bomb threat

Deputies traced 911 call from disconnected cell phone

Jeffery Lee Dozier

By: Lance Griffin | Dothan Eagle
Published: July 29, 2010
Updated: July 29, 2010 - 12:52 PM

DOTHAN --

Police believe a desire to get out of an upcoming court date and overall anger toward the justice system prompted a Dothan man to call 911 Monday and tell dispatchers a bomb would explode in the Houston County Courthouse.

The call came from a disconnected cell phone and was made at 2:15 p.m. Monday. An investigation led to the origin of the phone call and to 24-year old Jeffery Lee Dozier of Dothan. Sheriff’s deputies picked up Dozier on an outstanding burglary warrant and later charged him with making a terrorist threat. Sheriff Andy Hughes said Dozier confessed to making the threat.

Hughes said Dozier specifically mentioned District Attorney Doug Valeska during his 911 call.
“He said Valeska was going to get what was coming to him,” Hughes said.

Dozier is being held at the Houston County Jail on no bond. A bond of $20,000 was set separately on the burglary charge.

The call led to the evacuation of the Houston County Courthouse. A police K-9 was used to sweep the entire courthouse. Hughes said there was no evidence Dozier actually intended to blow up the courthouse. However, the charge Dozier is facing is related to simply making the threat. It is not necessary to show intent in order to be charged with the crime.

If convicted, Dozier could face between one and 10 years for the threat charge. The pending burglary charge also carries a punishment of between one and 10 years. Hughes said Dozier had several previous theft and drug-related charges.

Hughes said the sheriff’s office would also work with the district attorney’s office to push for financial restitution for the resources used to evacuate and search the courthouse.

Police are still investigating a separate bomb threat called in to the courthouse clerk’s office July 23. Hughes said he does not believe the two threats are related.

Sheriff: man confesses to courthouse bomb threat

Deputies traced 911 call from disconnected cell phone

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