Russian-American Accused of Bomb Threats Against El Cajon Courthouse

Also read: 

A Russian-born U.S. citizen accused of threatening a sheriff's deputy and a judge at the El Cajon courthouse pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges.

Georgiy Chipunov, 28, faces up to three years and eight months in prison if convicted of two counts of making a false bomb threat.

Chipunov—who was detained Thursday in Tijuana and turned over to U.S. authorities—has his bail set at $1 million.

A news release from the Baja California Public Safety Secretariat described the defendant as "a dangerous Russian terrorist" who had "threatened to explode the installations of the court in San Diego ... as well as kill judges and officials."

The alleged threats led to the closing of the courthouse for two days, according to the statement.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jan Caldwell would only say that Chipunov was arrested for allegedly "sending threatening emails" to the deputy and the judge.

Chipunov will be back in court Monday for a bail review. A preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 4.

—City News Service