Man charged with terroristic threat after reported bomb threat to state hospital

(Editor’s note: The following information comes from a Complaint For Arrest Warrant. All references to North Texas State Hospital originate from this court document.)

A 23-year-old man has been charged with making a terroristic threat after authorities allege he called in a bomb threat to the North Texas State Hospital, prompting a large-scale response from multiple law enforcement agencies.

According to a complaint for arrest warrant filed in Wilbarger County, Jadon Elijah Grangier, 23, is charged with terroristic threat, a third-degree felony.

The complaint, sworn by Vernon Peace Officer Trevis Session on July 1, alleges Grangier made the threat on June 29.

Police said officers were dispatched to the North Texas State Hospital’s Vernon campus at approximately 11:52 a.m. after a hospital employee reported receiving a bomb threat by telephone.

According to the affidavit, a hospital employee told investigators she answered an incoming call from an unknown male who stated, “Bomb in parking lot,” before immediately hanging up.

Investigators traced the call to a telephone number they determined was being used by Grangier, although the caller identification displayed another name, the affidavit states.

The affidavit says Session called the number several times during the investigation. During one conversation, after identifying himself as a Vernon police detective, the male caller allegedly became hostile, used profanity and threatened to “pull up” if the detective continued calling.

Investigators later confirmed through Grangier’s mother that the phone belonged to her son. She also told investigators that Grangier and the name that appeared on caller ID, were in a dating relationship and share four children, according to the affidavit.

Police said Grangier later contacted Session by telephone at approximately 1:07 p.m. During the recorded conversation, he acknowledged the call originated from his cellphone and said it had been accidental. According to the affidavit, Grangier claimed his young child made the statement while playing the online game Roblox.

The investigation also involved the Texas Department of Public Safety. The affidavit states DPS Special Agent John Harris reported that when agents attempted to contact Grangier at his residence, he concealed himself outside behind an air-conditioning unit and fence before eventually being located.

According to the affidavit, Grangier’s mother also told investigators her son admitted making a “stupid prank call.”

Investigators later played the recorded conversation with Grangier for the hospital employee who answered the original bomb threat call, who identified the voice as the same person who made threat, according to court documents.

Authorities said the reported threat triggered a substantial emergency response involving the Vernon Police Department, Wilbarger County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and requests for explosive detection resources, including bomb-detection canine assistance from the Air Force.

Based on the investigation, Session stated there was probable cause to believe Grangier intentionally threatened violence in order to cause an emergency response or place the public in fear of serious bodily injury.

Court records show Grangier was charged by complaint with one count of terroristic threat, a third-degree felony.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Grangier is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.