A Richmond County man was recently sentenced to federal prison after threatening to blow up Augusta’s Social Security office nearly a year ago.

Keyon Tishaye Dickens, 39, of Augusta, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to using a telephone to make a threat to injure a person or damage a building by explosives, according to a news release from Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Dickens to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term, according to the release. There is no parole in the federal system.

As described in court documents and testimony, Dickens received a notice in September 2023 that he was receiving overpayments to his Supplemental Security Income and that the Social Security Administration intended to recoup the funds from future SSI checks, according to the release.

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In response, Dickens called the Social Security Administration office in Augusta and said, “I’m going to shoot the office up and I’m going to blow it up. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do,” according to the release.

Carrying a backpack, Dickens later visited the Social Security office and showed the security guard a note that read, “I have a bomb,” according to the release. The officer notified the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the building was locked down and evacuated.

No bomb was found, and Richmond County deputies took Dickens into custody, according to previous reporting.

“Keyon Dickens’ malicious actions are criminal and intolerable,” said Michelle L. Anderson, acting SSA Inspector General. “This sentence demonstrates that threats to Social Security employees and offices are felonious and will not be ignored. We will continue to aggressively respond to threats, investigate the perpetrators and seek prosecution.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Man sentenced in Augusta bomb threat at Social Security Administration

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two missing teen runaways, authorities announced Thursday morning.

Authorities said Henry McLaughlin, 16, ran away from the Light House Care Center, located at 3100 Perimeter Parkway on Sept. 25, and was last seen getting into a black four-door BMW with a dealer tag.

McLaughlin is described to be five feet and six inches in height and weighs around 130 pounds, authorities say. He has brown hair and eyes.

He may be wearing a black shirt and red and black pants.

According to authorities, McLaughlin may be headed to Buford Ga.

The second teen, Tishawn Clemons, 15, also ran away from the Light House Care Center the same day in the same vehicle, deputies said.

Clemons is described by officials to be about five feet and three inches in height and weighs around 120 pounds.

He may be wearing no shirt and black or blue pants, deputies say.

Clemons may be headed to Decatur Ga.

These two teens aren’t the only ones who were reported missing this week. Both Jaliah Rembert and Kymaurie Ward were last seen on Sept. 13, authorities say.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died after a crash on Deans Bridge Road on Wednesday evening, according to authorities.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says at 5:45 p.m., deputies responded to the 3400 block of Deans Bridge Road in reference to a traffic accident.

Upon arrival, deputies found two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision.

The sheriff’s office says one of the drivers is deceased.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office says the driver was pronounced dead on the scene at 6:42 p.m.

Deputies say the second driver and passengers were transported to the hospital and are in critical condition.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Division is currently on scene investigating the accident.

One northbound lane and one southbound land of Deans Bridge Road is shut down at this time.

The sheriff’s office asks for drivers to use alternate routes if traveling in the area.

The identity of the driver will be released once the next of kin is notified, according to the coroner’s office.

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