Bomb hoax suspect back in court

The man accused of making a bomb threat at a health clinic across the street from Yuma City Hall last week was back in court Tuesday.

Benjamin Martinez, 48, of Yuma, was charged in Yuma Justice Court before Justice of the Peace Gregory Stewart with one count of committing a hoax for threatening to blow up Mountain Health and Fitness Clinic, 290 S. 1st Ave., on Friday.

Martinez was out of custody when he made his court appearance, having posted the bond set by the weekend hearing judge.

When answering questions by the judge, Martinez replied by politely saying either “Yes, your honor” or “No, your honor.”

Since Martinez said he could not afford to hire his own attorney, the judge appointed the Yuma County Public Defender's Office to represent him and told him that he would be required to pay $750 of that cost.

The judge also scheduled Martinez's next court date, a preliminary hearing, for Sept. 28 at 4 p.m.

Yuma police received a call at 10:10 a.m. Friday of a bomb threat involving Mountain Health and Fitness Clinic, which is just west of Yuma City Hall.

Martinez allegedly threatened to cause an explosion in the building, but as he exited the building, he was taken into police custody. The building was evacuated and the area secured. No injuries were reported as a result of the evacuation, and the initial inspection of the building revealed no suspicious items.

The YPD Special Enforcement Team was later assisted by Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team K-9 and the Yuma County Sheriff's Office Explosive Ordinance Team in a methodical search of the building and surrounding area.

Streets were blocked and the building evacuated for about two hours until the search was completed. Clinic employees and patients who couldn't get to their cars were taken to Yuma City Hall for their comfort and safety.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.