Woman who made bomb threat to avoid $14 parking fee gets probation

Jessica Vazquez, 34, was ordered Thursday to complete a mental health court program as a condition of probation after pleading guilty in September to making a bomb threat. District Judge Christy Craig also imposed a suspended sentence of two to five years that could be enforced if Vazquez violates probation terms.

The incident occurred in June when Vazquez parked in a garage near the courthouse. Upon learning of the $14 fee, she told parking staff there was a bomb in the area and in her vehicle, according to an arrest report. A parking enforcement officer reported her saying, "I have a bomb, I have a bomb, there's a bomb in the area."

Police responded by closing stretches of Third and Fourth streets near the Regional Justice Center. Courthouse visitors waited for hours to access their vehicles while law enforcement investigated the threat.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Schwartzer said after the hearing that he believed the sentence was an appropriate remedy for someone clearly suffering from mental health issues, noting Vazquez had a minimal criminal record. Vazquez did not address the crime in court but thanked Judge Craig for the opportunity she was given.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal