FARMINGTON — An attorney for Rumford-based defense lawyer Ronald E. Hoffman, who is accused of calling in bomb threats to two Wilton elementary schools, said Thursday he entered a not guilty plea on Hoffman’s behalf with the court by mail.

Attorney James Martemucci said he also requested the case be transferred to Franklin County Superior Court in Farmington for jury trial.

Hoffman, 52, of Sumner, is charged with two counts of misdemeanor terrorizing by making bomb threats March 29 to Cushing and the Academy Hill schools.

He was scheduled to be arraigned in Farmington District Court at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

When Judge Joseph Field called out his name in the courtroom, Franklin County Assistant District Attorney James Andrews said the case was being handled by Somerset County District Attorney’s Office due a conflict because Hoffman also practices law in Farmington.

Andrews said he spoke to Somerset Assistant District Attorney Brent Davis on Wednesday and was told Hoffman’s attorney planned to make an appearance at court to enter a plea.

Field said nothing had been entered with the court when he was interviewed Thursday.

He issued a bench warrant for Hoffman’s arrest with $1,000 cash bail.

Outside the court, a clerk said she had just received a call from Martemucci telling them he entered his appearance and a plea by mail. The court had not received it as of Thursday morning.

“We mailed it yesterday,” Martemucci said Wednesday by phone.

The situation is resolved, he said.

Field struck the warrant after Martemucci faxed a copy of the information entering his appearance and the not guilty plea to the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office. A representative of the office brought the paperwork to the court.

The criminal case is being handled in a joint investigation by Wilton police and Maine State Police.

Hoffman has handled several high profile cases during his career.

NOTE: The story has been updated since its initial publication.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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