By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Man accused in bomb scare denied bail
Placeholder Image

An Oxford man charged with placing a package he thought was a bomb in Newton Plaza was denied bond in Newton County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Kevin Johnson, 29, faces counts of terroristic threats and possession of a hoax device and was denied bond because he was deemed a threat to the community.

Judge John Ott also ordered Johnson to undergo a mental evaluation.

Johnson was arrested and charged on Feb. 15 after he allegedly placed a manila package with red writing that he thought was a bomb in Newton Plaza, according to the Covington Police Department. The package was found by a store owner on the morning of Feb. 15 outside the Wain and Company Barber Shop and State Farm Insurance.

 Covington Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Bomb Disposal Unit were called to handle the threat. The GBI's REMOTEC Andros brand robot took the package to a safe location in the alleyway behind the businesses before blowing it up using rounds similar to shotgun shells.

No explosive material was found in the package.

Police traced the package to Johnson because he had written his name and address on the outside.