ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — A Belmont County teenager has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after admitting to making multiple bomb threats that disrupted businesses and prompted emergency responses throughout the county.
Larry Harvey was sentenced Monday in Belmont County Common Pleas Court after previously pleading guilty to six felony charges, including three counts of making terroristic threats and three counts of inducing panic.
During sentencing, Judge John Vavra determined the charges of inducing panic were allied offenses and merged them with the terroristic threats convictions. Harvey was ultimately sentenced on three counts of making terroristic threats.
The defense requested a county jail sentence rather than prison, arguing Harvey would have greater opportunities to complete counseling and earn his GED while incarcerated locally.
The prosecution did not recommend a specific sentence.
Judge Vavra rejected the defense’s request, stating the court found Harvey had not demonstrated remorse for his actions.
Harvey received an 18-month prison sentence on each of the three counts. The sentences will be served consecutively, resulting in a total prison term of four and a half years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
The bomb threats prompted emergency responses at multiple Belmont County businesses and disrupted normal operations as law enforcement investigated each incident.
