A Washington man has been charged with making a felony threat after he told an agent he “dropped explosives” along the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue near Lafayette Square and the White House, Washington Post has reported, citing US’ Secret Service.
The man was identified as Ervin Pettaway, a 33 year-old, who talked to an officer near the White House at around nine in the morning about putting explosives there.
The area was combed for explosives and the suspect was taken into custody, authorities familiar with the matter said.
A cellphone, which the suspect had left near the site of the incident, was also found later.
The streets around the presidential residence were closed and the place was placed under a brief lockdown which was lifted an hour later.
Pettaway faces one count of felony threats, the US Secret Service said.
