Baltimore Man Arrested in Bomb Threat Against Washington County Circuit Court, Had Trial Scheduled for Day of Threats

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, a Baltimore man has been charged in connection with bomb threats directed at the Circuit Court for Washington County and a judge presiding in that court. The investigation, a joint effort between the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, concluded with the arrest of Jamil Nicholas Gardner, 32, of Baltimore, who was scheduled for a trial on the day of the bomb threats.

The incident occurred on the morning of Monday, February 2, 2026, when two Circuit Court employees received phone calls between approximately 7:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. The callers stated that a bomb was present inside the courthouse and indicated that a judge was in danger of dying. These threats prompted the immediate activation of court security protocols and the commencement of a law enforcement investigation.

Investigators with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Digital Investigations and Forensic Unit traced the origin of the threatening calls to a single prepaid cellular phone. Further investigation led authorities to a retail location in Baltimore, Maryland, where the phone was purchased. Surveillance footage obtained from the store by the Office of the State Fire Marshal allowed investigators to identify the individual who bought the phone. A photograph of the suspect was then distributed to various law enforcement agencies. Through a combination of investigative work and cooperation with court personnel, the suspect was identified as Jamil Nicholas Gardner.

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Following this identification, State Fire Marshals filed for charges against Gardner and secured an arrest warrant. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Gardner was apprehended in Howard County, Maryland. His arrest was carried out by a coordinated effort involving the United States Marshals Service, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Maryland State Apprehension Team.

Gardner was subsequently transported to Washington County, Maryland, where he is currently being held at the Washington County Detention Center. He is awaiting an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. The charges filed against Gardner include Intimidate/Influence Juror, two counts of False Statement – Destructive Device, two counts of Arson Threat, Threat of Mass Violence, and Harm/Threat of Damage to Office of Court.

According to Maryland Case Search, Gardner was already facing charges including failure to return to and remain at the scene of an accident involving attended property damage, failure of a vehicle driver to stop after an unattended accident involving property damage, attempting to elude a uniformed police officer by failing to stop, failure to stop at a steady circular red signal, and willfully disobeying a lawfully issued motor vehicle summons. The offenses are alleged to have occurred on July 10, 2024, with subsequent charges related to an accident on July 10, 2024. His trial was scheduled on February 2, 2026, the date of the bomb threats. He then failed to appear for a hearing the following day.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal have emphasized the seriousness with which they treat threats made against the judicial system and public safety. They have stated that any threat of violence directed at court employees, judicial officers, or the broader community will be subject to thorough investigation and prosecution.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Maryland case C-21-CR-25-000023.

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