ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Waynesville resident Cody Blake Strickler has pleaded guilty to making a bomb threat last spring that prompted the evacuation of the Haywood County Justice Center.

Last week, Superior Court Judge William Long sentenced the 33-year-old Strickler to serve a minimum of five years, with a maximum of seven years, in the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said in a statement.

On March 19, Strickler called 911 and reported: “The emergency is at the courthouse, the new one, there’s a bomb, C4, sausage links on detonators remote switches, you need to evacuate the courthouse now.”

In response, authorities evacuated both superior and district court personnel, along with building office workers and visitors. A K9 unit trained in explosive detection conducted a thorough sweep of the courthouse, ensuring it was safe for court proceedings to resume after being cleared.

Strickler, who has also been designated a habitual felon, faced enhanced sentencing under North Carolina’s habitual felon law, often referred to as “three strikes and you’re out.” Assistant District Attorney Jeff Jones presented evidence that led to this designation.

The investigation was led by Haywood County Sheriff’s Office Detective Garrett Sanders, with assistance from the Waynesville Police Department, who helped secure the surrounding area during the incident.