Baltimore Man Charged Following Bomb Threat to Washington County Circuit Court

The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office have concluded a joint investigation into a bomb threat made against the Circuit Court for Washington County and a sitting Circuit Court Judge.

On Monday, February 2, 2026, between approximately 7:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m., two employees of the Circuit Court received telephone calls advising that there was a bomb inside the courthouse and that a judge was going to die. Court security protocols were immediately implemented, and law enforcement initiated an investigation.

Detectives assigned to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Digital Investigations and Forensic Unit determined that the threatening calls originated from the same prepaid cellular phone. Investigators subsequently identified the retail location in Baltimore, Maryland, where the phone had been purchased.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal of Maryland obtained surveillance footage from the store and identified the individual who purchased the phone. A photograph of the suspect was disseminated to law enforcement agencies. Through investigative efforts and coordination with court personnel, the individual was identified as Jamil Nicholas Gardner, 32, of Baltimore, Maryland.

State Fire Marshals applied for charges against Gardner in connection with the incident and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Gardner was taken into custody in Howard County, Maryland, by the United States Marshals Service, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Maryland State Apprehension Team.

Gardner was transported to Washington County, Maryland, where he is currently being held at the Washington County Detention Center pending an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.

Gardner has been charged with the following offenses:

• Intimidate/Influence Juror (Felony)
• Two (2) counts of False Statement – Destructive Device
• Two (2) counts of Arson Threat
• Threat of Mass Violence
• Harm/Threat of Damage to Office of Court

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal take threats against the judicial system and public safety with the utmost seriousness. Any threat of violence directed toward court personnel, judicial officers, or the community will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. 

All people charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.