Man pleads guilty to Butler County bomb threat

A Butler County man pleaded guilty last week in federal court to threatening to blow up the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Mark A. Starkey, 44, of Victoria, Texas, formerly of Butler County, pleaded guilty to one felony count of making a threat over the telephone to destroy a building by use of explosives before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., according to the Federal prosecutor's office.

Limbaugh set sentencing for June 22. At that time, Starkey faces a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

On Nov. 24, Starkey, who was a resident of Texas, discovered he was charged with a felony criminal offense in Butler County. Court records indicate Starkey had been charged Oct. 6 with the Class D felony of aggravating stalking.

After learning of the charge, Starkey reportedly used a telephone to call the office of Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour and spoke with the receptionist.

During the telephone call, Starkey stated that if Barbour did not dismiss the new charges, then he would blow up the prosecutor's building.

Starkey made a second call the same date during which he stated he would harm Barbour if his arrest warrant was not "taken off."