U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation |
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| In Reply, Please Refer to Release No. |
219 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604 |
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August 27, 2003 Arrest Made in Threat to Bomb Social Security Building Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today the arrest of CHARLEISE YVETTE RAMEY, age 33, of 5518 South Perry in Chicago. RAMEY was arrested at her residence yesterday afternoon, without incident, by members of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). RAMEY was charged in a criminal complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago by Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine, with one count of Felony Disorderly Conduct, which is a class III offense. It is alleged that earlier this month, RAMEY mailed a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) office at 6338 South Cottage Grove in Chicago, threatening to blow up the building on September 11th, 2003. A second letter, which was also mailed to the building, contained threats directed at an SSA employee . Although this matter was investigated by the FBI's JTTF, no evidence has been developed linking this threat to any terrorist group. Additionally, it appears at this time that RAMEY acted alone and that no steps had been taken by her to carry out her threat. Officers from the Federal Protective Service (FPS) assisted with both the investigation and arrest. The FBI's JTTF is comprised of FBI Special Agents, along with Officers and Investigators from the Chicago Police Department (CPD); United States Secret Service (USSS); United States Postal Inspection Service; United States Marshal's Office; Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF); and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In announcing this arrest, Mr. Kneir said "In this time of heightened security concerns and limited investigative resources, we cannot tolerate threats of this type, regardless of the motive or source. Any and all threats will be taken seriously and investigated completely in an effort to identify the source." The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. |
