Augusta Man Pleads Guilty to Social Security Office Bomb Threat

AUGUSTA, GA – Keyon Tishaye Dickens, 38, of Augusta, admitted guilt to federal charges after threatening to use explosives against a Social Security Administration office. U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg confirmed that Dickens pled guilty to Using a Telephone to Make a Threat to Injure a Person or Damage a Building by Explosives. He now faces up to 10 years in prison, with no option for parole.

The incident occurred after Dickens received a notice from the Social Security Administration in September 2023, informing him of an intent to recoup overpayments from his Supplemental Security Income. Reacting to the notice, Dickens made a threatening call to the office, declaring intentions to either shoot up or bomb the facility.

Later, he visited the targeted office, presenting a note to a security officer that read “I have a bomb,” while carrying a backpack. This action prompted a lockdown and evacuation of the building, though no bomb was ultimately discovered. Dickens was apprehended by deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office following the evacuation.

The investigation involved the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J.C. Jacobs III is handling the prosecution. Sentencing will be scheduled by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall after a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.