(CENTREVILLE) – The man arrested last week for allegedly making threats at the St. Joseph County Courthouse has had his first day in court.

On Monday, 64 year old Lawrence Rice of White Pigeon was arraigned on charges of false report or threat of terrorism, using the internet or telecommunications to commit terrorism and carrying a concealed weapon.

On September 26, the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported threat against Government staff and employees at the Courthouse in Centreville.

Sheriff Chad Spence says thanks to the rapid and coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, courthouse staff and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, Rice was safely apprehended without incident. Assisting the Sheriff’s Office was the St. Joseph Valley Special Response Team, along with the Three Rivers and White Pigeon Police Departments

The Sheriff’s Office has requested that Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel appoint a special prosecutor to the case since the witnesses to the incident are county employees.