Homeless Man Tied to Portland Mayor Firebomb Threat Now Faces 10 Years for Plotting to Blow Up Montana Courthouse

A homeless man, previously investigated, arrested, and convicted following an FBI investigation after threatening to set fire to the house of the Portland Mayor using Molotov cocktails, appeared in court yesterday after threatening to blow up a Montana county courthouse.

Kermit “Ty” Poulson (46) pleaded guilty to an allegation that he threatened to blow up the Flathead County courthouse with fire or explosives, according to a news release by the Montana U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He Claims to Be a Member of an Extreme Right-Wing Organization

According to criminal records, Poulson was previously convicted of threatening to use Molotov cocktails to set fire to the Portland Mayor’s home.

In that case, he claimed to have ties to Antifa – autonomous groups affiliated by militant opposition to fascism and other forms of extreme right-wing ideology.

The charge of sending a threatening interstate communication via email carries a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Poulson will remain in custody until sentencing on 18 September 2025. The prosecutor in the case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes.