Former U student says he brought explosive devices to student union
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A former University of Minnesota engineering student who brought a bag of explosive devices into the Coffman Memorial Union last summer has made a guilty plea in the case.
Jason Johnson, 35, pleaded guilty in Hennepin County Court to one count of terroristic threats. He'll be sentenced next week.
On Aug. 9, police were called about a suspicious bag that smelled of gasoline that was sitting near a fireplace, a criminal complaint said.
A bomb squad searched the bag and found bundled smoke flares, towels soaked in gasoline, gloves and a lighter.
Seven law enforcement agencies and the fire department were called in, and the FBI and ATF were informed of the situation.
A police officer recognized Johnson in video that captured a person leaving the bag there. Johnson later admitted the bag was his.
According to the U, Johnson was admitted to the school in 2006 and last enrolled in the spring of 2010.
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