NC man gets 20 years for threatening ex-president

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 28-year-old North Carolina man who threatened to kill former President George W. Bush and said he wanted to blow up the White House has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors say Ronald Brim started sending letters with specific and graphic threats to the former president and first lady Laura Bush. Prosecutors say he also threatened the Rev. Billy Graham and the evangelist's son Franklin in April 2008 along with agents investigating his case.

A jury convicted Brim in August. A judge Tuesday agreed with prosecutors and gave Brim a lengthy sentence because of his criminal record.

Records show Brim served about eight years for indecent liberty with a child and malicious conduct by a prisoner. He committed 34 infractions behind bars in three years.