Woman called in fake bomb threat for 'me time' police say

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A 24-year-old woman is facing a second-degree felony after police said she admitted making a bomb threat at the University of Florida.

It happened at the new Engineering building on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville last Wednesday.   At the time, no one knew what University Police would soon find out -- the threat was a prank and the prankster's motive was unbelievably self-centered, they say.

Freshman Zachary Perez says, "I actually woke up from a nap and got a text from my mom about a bomb threat at UF."

University Police quickly narrowed their search to a few individuals, and then soon thereafter, they pinpointed Jessica Ward.  

According to police, Ward is not a student or faculty member bit is an employee for a vendor that runs at a kiosk at the College of Engineering.  Police say Ward works at a coffee kiosk, and she told them she wanted to get off work to have some "me  time."

Student Kelly Martin says, "It does seem a little bit extreme, to say something like that."

University Police sent a warrant to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and deputies arrested Ward Tuesday.  She faces one count of false reports concerning planting a bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction on state-owned property.

Ward bonded out of jail early Tuesday evening.