TRAVERSE CITY — A man arrested on suspicion of calling in a multi-government-building bomb threat on June 26 has been charged.
Jeffrey Topous, Jr., 33, of South Boardman, is facing four counts of false reports/threats of terrorism and one count of resisting arrest, authorities said.
During his July 1 arraignment before Magistrate Tammi Rogers, Topous declined the offer of a court-appointed attorney in favor of representing himself.
Attorney Kelli Caxton, who was on the court-appointed arraignment council on the day of Topous’ hearing, said the state provides attorneys for unrepresented defendants “so they have the chance to talk to an attorney the day of their arraignment.”
If Topous had wanted an attorney, but couldn’t afford one, the court would have appointed one at the public’s expense.
“He could have requested that,” Caxton said. “If he wanted one, he would [have been] appointed an assignment attorney. He chose to exercise his right to represent himself, moving forward.”
Traverse City Police Lt. Ryan Taylor said Topous is currently experiencing homelessness.
On the afternoon of the incident, all buildings of concern were evacuated, cleared, and swept by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s bomb-detecting dogs as an additional precaution, according to Traverse City Police Chief Matthew Richmond.
Richmond later said they determined there was no threat to the public.
According to Richmond, dispatchers had been notified by text of the threats to law enforcement and bomb threats to the Law Enforcement Center and the courthouses.
After the call, sheriff’s deputies used the sender’s location to spot Topous cycling north into the city on a bike trail.
Topous resisted arrest, was finally taken to custody and brought to the Grand Traverse County Jail, according to Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Capt. Chris Clark.
Topous’ probable cause conference is expected to take place today at 2 p.m.