A Stockton man has pleaded guilty to threatening to “blow up” power plants.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Monday that Justin Horton, 40, made the admission before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conveying false information and hoaxes, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that on the evening of May 13, 2024, Horton called National Grid and stated “I’m calling to call a bomb threat into you. I’m going to blow up both of your nuclear power plants by the end of next week.” Horton specified he was referring to nuclear power plants located in New York and Pennsylvania. The defendant did not have the means or intent to carry out the threat to bomb two nuclear facilities.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15 before Vilardo.