A former employee of Northeastern University has been sentenced in federal court for staging a hoax explosion and providing false statements to law enforcement. Jason Duhaime, 47, received a sentence of one year and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. In June 2024, he was convicted on charges related to conveying false information about an explosive device and making materially false statements.

United States Senior District Court Judge William G. Young delivered the sentence following Duhaime's arrest on October 2, 2022, and subsequent indictment later that month.

"Bomb hoaxes are not a harmless act," stated United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. "This sentence should send a clear message to everyone who engages in bomb threats and swatting incidents."

Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, remarked on the case: "Jason Duhaime apparently thought he could get away with staging a hoax explosion and lying to us about it."

The incident occurred on September 13, 2022, when Duhaime reported being injured by sharp objects from a plastic case at Northeastern University's Immersive Media Lab. He claimed the case contained an anonymous note threatening violence.

His report prompted a significant law enforcement response involving multiple agencies and campus evacuation. However, further investigation revealed inconsistencies in his account.

A search of Duhaime's office uncovered evidence linking him to the creation of the threat letter found inside the case. This included an electronic copy created hours before reporting the incident.

The announcement of his sentencing involved several officials including U.S. Attorney Levy; FBI SAC Cohen; Michael A. Davis from Northeastern University; Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations; Ketty Larco-Ward from U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and Timothy H. Kistner prosecuted the case.