A patient was arrested for allegedly threatening on June 11 to blow up a dental practice in Missouri, forcing the business to evacuate and close for the day, according to a probable cause statement.
James Trotter, 68, was charged with making terrorist threats in the second degree. His bond was set at $25,000.
On June 11, Trotter reportedly called My Dentist in Joplin, MO, where he is a current patient, and said, “I own this goddamn place, and you better do what I tell you or someone will come there and pile that place to pieces,” according to the statement.
Employees told police that Trotter had called the practice multiple times and made vague threats over the last several days.
In another message, Trotter allegedly said, “I guess you didn’t learn. I’m in the parking lot, so get those people out of there because I’m going to blow that place the f--- up,” according to the statement.
This alleged threat prompted the practice staff to take patients to a safe place inside the building. While doing this, an employee noticed a vehicle driving suspiciously in the practice parking lot, according to the statement.
When the police officers arrived, they found no immediate threat to the employees or the practice. However, staff chose to evacuate employees and patients from the building and close the practice for the day due to Trotter’s alleged threats.
Police found Trotter at his Webb City, MO, home, where he was taken into custody. When police officers asked what happened, Trotter purportedly said “I told them to quit blowing up my phone,” according to the probable cause statement.
