Northeastern University Employee 'Injured' in Reported Explosion Arrested

Boston, MA (WorkersCompensation.com) - An employee of Northeastern University who claimed he was injured in an explosion on campus, has been arrested for faking the entire scenario.

According to reports, Jason Duhaime, the university's New Technology Manager and Director of the Immersive Media Lab, called 911 around 7 p.m. on Sept. 13 to report he had been injured when objects shot out of a plastic case he opened in his lab at the school's Holmes Hall. Duhaime, 45, was taken to the hospital with minor hand injuries.

Boston Police Superintendent Felipe Colon said at the time the hall was evacuated, and the case, a protected case Duhaime said he was opening, was taken in for investigation. Authorities also found a note that officials described as threatening with the package.

The incident caused other schools in the area, including Harvard, to warn its employees and faculty to be on the lookout for suspicious packages, and to increase campus police patrols.

But it was all a hoax, U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said during a press conference on Oct. 4.

Duhaime, Rollins said, "is alleged to have fabricated the story."

The former technology manager was arrested ear his San Antonio home, Rollins said, and has been charged with falsely conveying a bomb threat, as well as lying to federal agents during his interview. Oct. 4.

Officials said Duhaime told investigators that he and a student had collected several packages from the mail that day and taken them to the lab. Among the packages were two "Pelican" cases. Duhaime said he took those cases into a closet inside the lab. When he opened them, "'very sharp' objects flew out of the case and under his shirt sleeves, causing injury to his arms." He also reported a letter contained in the case contained threatening messages. Police have not released the letter.

But an investigation into the case and the note found that the case was empty and undamaged, and that neither the letter, the case nor the storage closet showed any indication of being involved in an explosion.

Authorities said when asked if he was fabricating the story, Duhaime denied it was a hoax.

Investigators, however, found a "word for word" copy of the alleged threatening letter on Duhaime's home computer. Information in the file showed that the letter was created and printed only hours before Duhaime called 911.

“This alleged conduct is disturbing to say the least. Our city, more than most, knows all too well that a report or threat of an explosion is a very serious matter and necessitates an immediate and significant law enforcement response given the potential devastation that can ensue,” Rollins said.

Joseph R. Bonavolonta, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston office, said Duhaime most likely "wanted to be the victim but instead victimized his entire community by instilling fear at college campuses in Massachusetts and beyond."

Northeastern said Duhaime was no longer employed by the university, and that it does not comment on personnel matters.

“Northeastern would like to thank the professionals in the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Boston Police Department for bringing this investigation to a close,” the university said in a statement. “Knowing what we know now about this incident, we would like to make it clear that there was never any danger to the Northeastern community. As always, the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority.”

Intentionally conveying false and misleading information related to an explosive device and making materially false statements to a federal law enforcement agent each carry sentences of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

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