United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

UNCASVILLE MAN WHOSE FALSE REPORT LED TO LARGE-SCALE HAZMAT RESPONSE IS SENTENCED

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT ROBISHAW, age 40, of Uncasville, Connecticut, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to two years of probation for making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with his claim that he was exposed to a white powder substance that caused toxic chemical effects. ROBISHAW pleaded guilty to the offense on November 1, 2006.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on March 16, 2006, ROBISHAW reported to fire and law enforcement authorities that he had been exposed to an unknown powder substance that caused extreme irritation to his skin. His claim resulted in a large-scale HAZMAT response to ROBISHAW’s place of work and other locations. ROBISHAW later told the FBI that he did not know what the white substance was, and he did not know how it ended up on his desk. However, ROBISHAW subsequently revealed that the substance was, in fact, cigarette ash, and that he had placed the ash on his desk.

“False reports to law enforcement drain valuable resources, waste time and create unnecessary fear in the community,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “These types of hoax crimes will be vigorously prosecuted.”

Judge Chatigny today ordered ROBISHAW to submit to mental health counseling and treatment during his term of probation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), with assistance of the Connecticut State Police, the Groton City Police Department and the Waterford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Ring and Mark Rubino.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov