PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man has been sentenced to slightly more than three years in prison after pleading guilty to making bomb threats that cleared the Clallam County Courthouse and Armory Square Mall for about two hours March 28.
Steve Allen Fortman Sr., 50, was sentenced July 16 in county Superior Court to 36.75 months in prison after pleading guilty that day to one count each of threats to bomb or injure property and possession of methadone, according to Superior Court documents.
Another count of threats to bomb or injure property and one of possession of methamphetamine were dismissed.
Fortman was listed on the roster of the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton on Thursday.
Police say Fortman was told by Anthony James Deason, 43, to call in the bomb threats because Deason wanted to avoid a court date.
Fortman allegedly called 9-1-1 at about 2 p.m. March 28 to report that bombs were set to go off at the courthouse and Armory Square Mall, police said.
Police said Deason gave Fortman money to buy the cellphone Fortman used to call in the threats.
No bombs found
Both buildings were evacuated, and no bombs were found.
Police arrested Fortman on March 29 and Deason on April 1.
Deason pleaded guilty May 29 to one count of solicitation of threats to bomb or injure property and was sentenced to 32.25 months in prison.
According to police accounts, Deason after his arrest initially denied any knowledge of the threat but eventually told them he had asked Fortman to do it.
Deason told police he did not think Fortman would actually make the call, adding that he jokingly told Fortman it would be “fun” to call and make a bomb threat.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
