Island Resident Behind Chicken Box Bomb Threat Hoax Has Case Dismissed

The island resident who allegedly made a bomb threat that forced The Chicken Box and neighboring areas on Dave Street to evacuate the area in mid-March had the charges he was facing dismissed prior to arraignment after qualifying for the Valor Act.

The Valor Act was passed in 2012 and allows for someone who has been honorably discharged and has seen active duty to have a misdemeanor criminal charge dismissed under a diversionary program if the individual has no other criminal record.

Timothy A. Uhran, 40, was facing March 12 charges of threatening to commit a crime and disturbing the peace. Uhran’s attorney – Jim Merberg – stated in previous court sessions that his client was a member of the Coast Guard Reserves. Since the charges were dismissed prior to arraignment, they will not appear on Uhran’s criminal record.

Not all veterans qualify for this diversion program. Only veterans who have been or are currently enrolled in the military, have been charged with a misdemeanor offense that may result in imprisonment, have no prior criminal convictions in their adult life, and do not have any warrants, continuances, appeals, or open criminal cases pending qualify for this program.

On the night of Monday, March 12, sources told the Current the suspect was inside The Chicken Box around 11:45 p.m. and just before leaving, he warned those inside that he would be returning with a bomb. Police were called to the scene to investigate while the establishment was evacuated, and Dave Street was shut down. After searching the area, authorities determined there was no bomb or any kind of explosive device.

Police eventually made contact with the man and arrested him. Since the individual was not arraigned in Nantucket District Court, the Current was denied permission to obtain and read the statement of facts for this case because the court said they are not public record.

"It's certainly a crazy situation and our number one priority is to keep our employees and customers safe," Chicken Box co-owner Packy Norton told the Current at the time of the incident. "The Nantucket Police Department and Nantucket Fire Department were lightning-fast in responding, our staff as well."