Lamar brothers plead guilty to making bomb threats that caused evacuation of Cox Barton County Hospital

Two Lamar residents pleaded guilty to making a terrorist threat in connection with phone calls that forced the evacuation of Cox Barton County Hospital March 4.

Larry Gates, 42, (top photo) pleaded guilty Monday during a hearing conducted by polycom Monday in Barton County Circuit Court. Judge David Munton sentenced Gates to five years in prison, then suspended the sentence and placed him on supervised probation for five years.

His brother, Jason Gates, 40, pleaded guilty to the same charge Friday. His sentencing is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 11 in Barton County Circuit Court.

Their mother, Terrie R. Walker, 62, pleaded not guilty and will be arraigned in the trial division 1 p.m. July 16.

The probable cause statement alleged Jason Gates was at Cox Barton County for a workplace-related drug urine test that he did not believe he was going to pass so his mother and brother phoned in threats to evacuate the hospital and force a delay in the testing.

The Barton County Sheriff's Office issued the following news release March 5:

On March 4, 2020, the Barton County 911 Center was notified of a bomb threat at Cox Barton County Hospital.

The Lamar Police Department responded along with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Barton County Sheriff's Department.

After conferring with executive staff, the decision was made to evacuate the hospital.

The evacuation and relocation of patients was turned over to the Barton County Ambulance District, which was handled with assistance from other agencies, Vernon County Ambulance District, Crawford County Kansas Ambulance and Metro Emergency Transport Systems (METS) out of Joplin.

Cox staff and security along with law enforcement and the Lamar Fire Department conducted a search of the building. No suspicious items or explosive devices were found.