A Lexington man was arrested recently for allegedly sending a bomb threat to the county sheriff.

The state Law Enforcement Division announced that it has charged Erik Joseph McBride, 44, who is accused of threatening Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon via email.

“On or about February 2, 2024, the defendant ... willfully and knowingly threatened to cause damage, injury and/or death by means of a destructive device by using his personal email,” arrest warrants included with SLED’s news release state. “Within the message, and after consultation with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Bomb Squad, the defendant identified a viable formula for an improvised explosive device. ... The defendant also referred to ‘Aloha Snackbar,’ which is generally used for terroristic threats.”

Per the online slang database Urban Dictionary, the phrase is a parody of “Allahu Ackbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great,” and is used “to mock Islamists, political Islam, politically-correct defenses of Islam and Islam-related violence.”

McBride is charged with manufacture, possession, use, aid or counsel of a bomb/hoax device or replica; threatening the life or family of a public official; and unlawful communication.

He was booked at the Lexington County Detention Center following his Feb. 3 arrest, after which he was transferred to the Newberry County Detention Center, the release states.

Asked about the transfer, SLED Director of Public Information Renee Wunderlich told the Chronicle, “The information in the news release is the information I can provide on this matter.”

Following a request for comment and a separate inquiry about why the transfer took place, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Capt. Adam Myrick said, “We have nothing to add beyond the information provided by SLED.”

SLED’s release notes that McBride’s alleged crimes took place within Lexington County.

According to the Lexington County jail’s website, McBride was granted cash surety bonds totaling just over $92,000. The Newberry County Detention Center’s website lists him as still being held there for another agency.

This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.