Man called in own bomb threat at Brazil Post Office

The Brazil Times/Ivy Jacobs Officials investigate a threat of violence at the Brazil branch of the U.S. Post Office Friday afternoon.

BRAZIL — Police say the Brazil man who claimed to have a bomb in a backpack inside the Brazil post office Friday reported that threat to authorities.

That man, Carl Whitehead, 49, allegedly called the Clay County Dispatch Center at 3:44 p.m., telling dispatchers he was at the branch at 227 W. National Ave. with a homemade bomb in a backpack. He was later arrested without incident, and no explosives were found.

Whitehead was preliminarily charged Friday night with a Level 6 felony charge of false reporting. The city’s police chief said detectives and prosecutors may file additional charges as more information develops through their investigation.

Whitehead remained jailed Friday night.

McQueen said that after dispatch received Whitehead’s call, they immediately notified city and county officers who promptly responded.

Police arrived and ordered Whitehead out of the post office and away from his backpack. They also evacuated the area and shut down portions of U.S. 40 and Meridian and Depot streets near the post office.

“They restricted access to where the backpack was at,” McQueen said. “Officers determined the backpack did not contain any explosives or devices for explosives.”

The suspect was taken to the Clay County Justice Center. He said authorities are working with both the local prosecutor’s office and postal inspector, who arrived on scene to assist.