Ex-student charged in UC Riverside threats

Prosecutors have filed charges against a former UC Riverside student whose alleged bomb threats against a graduation ceremony forced its postponement last week, authorities said.

Audley Yung, 22, was arrested Tuesday night by university police.

A Riverside County Superior Court judge had increased his bail from $50,000 to $150,000. Yung posted bail and was released at 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officials.

Police had arrested Yung, originally from Richmond, Calif., on Saturday, but he was released on bail the next day.

Yung faces six felony counts, including possession of an explosive device, arson, having materials to build an arson device, and making criminal threats against university Chancellor France A. Cordova, said Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney’s office.

The situation unfolded about 6 a.m. Friday when groundskeepers found a smoldering palm tree near the outdoor mall where the graduation ceremony for the A. Gary Anderson School of Management was to take place.

Police and firefighters discovered two plastic bottles containing flammable liquid.

University officials decided to reschedule the commencement for Monday after finding a threatening letter outside the campus bookstore mentioning the Friday-night ceremony. A second letter was later received by the chancellor.

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