Clifton Man in Custody for Fruita Bomb Threat

Michael Leroy Schonlau, 36 of Clifton is being held by the U.S. Marshal after threatening to blow up a  Fruita refinery. Schonlau allegedly called the FBI on August 5th, 2012 and stated he was armed with explosives, linked to a 200-million gallon propane tank and was suicidal.

According to KKCO, the FBI stated that Schonlau told them the refinery in Fruita was hazardous and this (bomb threat) was the only way he could get the message out.

Highway 6 & 50 was closed down for precautionary reasons until law enforcement officials could deem there wasn't a threat to the area.

Schonlau is being charged with threatening to kill, injure and intimidate an individual and a business in Fruita by means of an explosive, he was also a felon in possession of a firearm.

A December 13th hearing in front of a U.S. magistrate at the Mesa County federal court house is scheduled.

[KKCO]