By CLAY MURPHY
Union County Bureau

UNION, S.C. (7/20/95) -- A 44-year-old Anderson man has been charged with making a bomb threat that caused court officials to cut short the Susan Smith trial Tuesday.

The State Law Enforcement Division apprehended Larry Darnell Brown, of 1509S. Murray Drive in Anderson, less than 24 hours after the threatening call was made. They took Brown to the Union City Jail at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

He is charged with threatening to kill, injure or intimidate individuals or damage or destroy property by means of explosive or incendiary.

The charge carries a sentence of up to 15 years but not less than five.

Union County Sheriff Howard Wells said SLED was able to make the arrest so quickly by working with Southern Bell's security division to study phone records and trace the call made at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The call was made to the county recreation department building, just down the street from the courthouse.

Wells said the agreement between SLED and Southern Bell was part of a "contingency plan" devised in expectation of just such a call.

"They did an exceptional job in such a short period of time," the sheriff said.

SLED spokesman Hugh Munn said the call was traced to Brown's residence.

The sheriff said he did not know of a motive for the threat or if it is related to the Susan Smith trial. She faces the death penalty if convicted of drowning her two small children.

"I have no idea of a connection to this case whatsoever," Wells said.

Wells would not say if Brown, an employee of Canteen Inc., a food service company, confessed to making the call. Wells said the man has no record of making threatening calls in the past.

Brown is expected to be taken before Judge William Howard this morning for a bond hearing and arraignment.

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