Mason City man headed to prison after pleading guilty to threatening to kill governor, burn housing facility

MASON CITY — A Mason City man accused of threatening to kill Governor Kim Reynolds and burn down a housing facility in Mason City has been sentenced to five years in prison.

51-year-old Terrence Rooney Junior was living at the 43 North Iowa Crisis Stabilization Housing facility at 408 1st Northwest when authorities say he called 9-1-1 on August 22nd and stated that he was going to get on a bus the next day and kill the governor.

A Mason City police officer responding to the incident made contact with Rooney, who allegedly repeated the threat. Rooney agreed to go with police for a medical evaluation at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, where while in the emergency room, he allegedly continued to make threats about killing Reynolds and burning down the 43 North Iowa facility.

Rooney was originally charged with threat of terrorism and threatening to place an incendiary or explosive device, both Class D felonies. Rooney as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors pleaded guilty to the threat of terrorism charge.

Prosecutors as part of that plea agreement were going to recommend a five-year suspended prison sentence, but prior to Monday’s sentencing hearing, Rooney was arrested in Iowa City after violating the terms of his pre-sentencing release.

District Associate Judge Karen Kaufman Salic sentenced Rooney on Monday to the five-year prison term and issued a $1025 fine.