Six months after telephoning a bomb threat to the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, a part-time manicurist from Boca Raton faces a potential sentence of probation and community service on Tuesday in federal court.
Martha Jane Schoenfeld, 60, pleaded guilty on Sept. 4 to “making a true threat to kill and to inflict bodily harm upon a former President of the United States.” She entered the plea after reaching an agreement with the government.
She could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she appears at noon Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal in Fort Lauderdale. She has been free on a $25,000 bond.
But after admitting what she did and showing contrition, a federal prosecutor, assistant U.S. Attorney John McMillan, and her lawyer, Mark McMann of Lakeland, are jointly recommending that the judge sentence her to a year of probation and 50 hours of community service, according to court files. Schoenfeld has no prior criminal record.
A quickly traced call
On June 6, a U.S. Secret Service agent and City of Boca Raton police descended on Schoenfeld’s home just two hours after her call to the club was identified as originating from her cellphone. She initially denied making the call, but then admitted it, according to the agent’s sworn affidavit.
According to a presentencing report filed in U.S. District Court, Schoenfeld left the following message with the club:
“Hi … I was, wanted to speak to someone, but l guess not,” she said. “But just to let you know, l just happened to stay there a couple days ago and there is a bomb left on the site. So hopefully you will get everyone evacuated except for Trump. Bye.”
On the same day she also telephoned threats to the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., and to an office of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., according to a court filing.
Her case has no connection with the alleged actions of Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who is awaiting trial on charges including the attempted assassination of Trump at the same golf club in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15. Routh allegedly set up an AK-47-style rifle adjacent to a fairway at the golf club while the former president played the course with companions.
Routh has pleaded not guilty and is being held at a federal detention center in downtown Miami.
This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.