SMITHFIELD – The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a false bomb threat. At 9:47am Thursday, a female called the Johnston County Clerk of Courts Office and claimed her boyfriend was in court and there was a bomb in the building. The call lasted approximately 8 seconds.
Sheriff investigators said the call was placed from a spoof telephone number.
As a precaution, a portion of the courthouse was briefly evacuated and additional security was assigned for the reminder of the day.
The courthouse has uniformed deputies and bailiffs who already provide security and visitors entering the courthouse are required to go through a metal detector.
The phone call was quickly determined to be a hoax but authorities are investigating to try and determine who placed the call.
