LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police announced the arrest of a suspect wanted for placing a suspicious package in downtown Louisville, forcing a portion of the city to be shutdown for several hours.
Jimmy Smith, Jr. was arrested Friday, Sept. 2 for non-compliance with the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry. He was charged with terroristic threatening for the Aug. 12 incident.
According to LMPD, the FBI Laboratory found forensic evidence linking Smith to the package and say Smith admitted details connecting him to the device.
On Aug. 12, LMPD found a pipe with wires sticking out of it. LMPD found the package on Fifth Street near Jefferson and Market Street. Several agencies were called in to help, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The package was removed from downtown at 1 p.m. that day and taken elsewhere for testing. LMPD Police Chief Erika Shield confirmed it was the only device. The shelter in place order was then lifted for downtown businesses and employees.
With the announcement of the arrest, Chief Shields said, “I appreciate the swift & diligent work on this joint-investigation which culminated in the safe apprehension of this suspect. Threats to public safety are intolerable and those responsible will be held accountable.”
The FBI Louisville confirmed in the news release the event of Aug. 12 was indeed a bomb hoax and Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said, “Hoax devices are not a joke. They take law enforcement’s precious time and resources away from our community. This arrest is a great example of LMPD and FBI Louisville working together to quickly identify the person responsible for the August 12th suspicious package. And, special thanks to the FBI Laboratory for its quick work in linking Smith, Jr. to this device.