The item was located in a canvas bag and consisted of three red cylinder type objects that were taped together. There was a wire running from the cylinders to a black box, which was also attached to the cylinders.
The Courthouse was evacuated for approx. 2 hours and traffic was diverted around the courthouse. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department’s Bomb Squad responded and examined the device. They determined the device was inert, but looked very realistic.
The investigation into this matter continued. Parts of the device were sent to the California Department of Justice Lab for forensic analysis. One of the tests preformed was for DNA. The Department of Justice Lab was able to locate DNA evidence on some of the device. The lab was then able to identify the DNA as belonging to Terry Keever, 55 of Sonora.
During the investigation into this matter, Keever had contacted the Sonora Police Department. Keever attempted to implicate someone else as being responsible for this crime, in an effort to receive a reduced sentence for a crime he was serving time on. Records indicate Keever was in court on the date of this incident and was remanded to custody.
On 16 June 2012, Keever, who was still serving time at the Tuolumne County Jail, was contacted at the Jail. Keever, who has an extensive criminal history, was arrested and booked for placing a false bomb at a government building, which is a felony.