Septuagenarian Transient Jailed For Bomb, Death Threats Against Congressman

An aged transient is in police custody after a failed lunch date launched a series of threats against a U.S. Congressman, according to reports.

Stephen James Brown, 72, entered the two-person office of U.S. Rep. Sam Farr in downtown Santa Cruz on Monday, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. He attempted to take a staffer to lunch but was rebuffed -- and then he launched into an angry tirade that included threats against Farr and against the building itself.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's office, which is also in the county building where Farr's local office is located, was notified. A few hours later, Brown was arrested by Capitola police after he allegedly made more threats, this time at a military recruitment facility on 41st Avenue, the newspaper reported.

Brown is held on $10,000 bail. He was found to possess no bomb-making material and also had no intention of carrying out his threat, according to reports.

The county building abuts a park, San Lorenzo Park, that has a reputation for attracting transients, the newspaper reported.

Farr was away in Washington when the threats occurred. This is the fourth instance of threats against him that have led to involvement from authorities.