Houston priest accused of threatening to bomb Aflac remains out on bond: Houston man appears in court [Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Ga.]
Aug. 25--A priest accused of threatening to fly a plane into the Aflac building appeared in federal court on Tuesday.
John Rouse, 61, wore a clerical collar when he stood before U.S. Magistrate Stephen Hyles for his arraignment on accusations he told an Aflac customer service representative that if a claim wasn't settled quickly, he'd bring a shotgun to the Columbus-based insurance company, an FBI affidavit states.
A federal agent also alleges that Rouse, who was referred to as "Father Rouse" by his attorney during Tuesday's hearing, made a bomb threat and suggested he'd fly a plane into the Macon Road building.
Rouse of Houston is accused of calling an Aflac customer service representative on May 24 about a claim. Rouse said he was unhappy about the service he'd received about a pending claim and demanded it be handled within a day or he'd bring a shotgun to Aflac, the affidavit states.
The employee "cautioned" Rouse about what he'd just said, though he repeated it. Rouse then made comments about bringing a bomb and flying a plane into the building, records state.
A supervisor then took the call and spoke with Rouse, who told her that if his claim wasn't settled within a day, he "would come packing," the affidavit states.
Rouse was arrested May 27 at his Houston home. He was given a $50,000 bond, secured by $2,500 in cash, court records state. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mel Hyde said he wouldn't ask for additional bonds, and Hyles allowed Rouse to remain out of jail on his initial bond.
If convicted, Rouse would face a maximum of five years in prison on a charge of extortion/interstate threatening communications, FBI Special Agent in Charge Brian Lamkin said.
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