OHP Arrests Two Accused Of Threatening To Blow Up State Capitol

Investigators say in order to get revenge on his ex-girlfriend, a man convinced his current girlfriend to phone in a bomb threat that forced thousands to evacuate the Oklahoma state Capitol.

Friday's threat forced Gov. Mary Fallin, lawmakers, and teachers and students who were at the Capitol to celebrate Colonial Day to leave the building. Authorities searched the Capitol and declared it safe after about an hour.

2/1/2013 Related Story: Bomb Threat Cleared, People Allowed Back Into Oklahoma State Capitol

Later that same day, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers arrested 45-year-old Eric Thompson and 18-year-old Whittni Butts. Troopers say while Thompson was incarcerated at the Oklahoma County jail, he told Butts he wanted to "get even" with an ex-girlfriend.

According to court documents, when Thompson was released from jail the morning of February 1, Butts drove him to a payphone near Tuscany Village Nursing Home, where Thompson's ex-girlfriend is employed. During an interview, Butts admitted she called 911, identified as herself as Thompson's ex-girlfriend, and reported a bomb threat at the governor's mansion and the nursing home. Troopers say Thompson was with Butts when she made the threats.

Butts told investigators she and Thompson then drove back to Tuscany Village Nursing Home, because Thompson wanted to see police arrive and arrest his ex-girlfriend.

When OHP troopers interviewed the innocent woman, she showed them texts on her cell phone from Butts and Thompson. The messages implied the two wanted to get even with the woman.

After finishing their interviews, troopers arrested Butts and Thompson the same evening the threats were made. They're accused of threatening to use a bomb, conspiracy, and false impersonation of another.