Springfield woman charged with making false bomb threat targeting 2 state buildings last month

A 23-year-old Springfield resident was arrested and charged with making a false bomb threat that targeted two Illinois state buildings last month.

A 23-year-old Springfield woman has been arrested and charged with making a false bomb threat that targeted two Illinois state buildings last month, the Illinois State Police announced Friday.

The ISP received a call on April 22 that a bomb had been placed in the Illinois Capitol building and in a Springfield public aid building. The state’s terrorism and intelligence center quickly cleared both buildings. Authorities tracked down the person who allegedly made the threats, Gabrielle Williams, through “cellular information and conducting interviews,” according to a  statement from the ISP.

Williams was taken to the Sangamon County Detention Facility on Thursday and charged with making a false bomb threat, a Class 4 felony. She awaits a pretrial detention hearing.

The ISP said a Clear and Present Danger report has been filed for Williams that, if affirmed by the state police, would revoke or deny a firearm owner’s identification card or an application for one.

In the statement, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias thanked police and said, “We take the security of the Capitol Complex and the safety of its employees, public officials, and visitors extremely seriously.”

ostevens@chicagotribune.com