PORTLAND, ME — Authorities are investigating a bomb threat at the Cumberland County Jail that was determined to have originated from an inmate inside the facility.
The Portland Police Department notified the jail of the threat at approximately 2:15 p.m. Tuesday after the Portland Press Herald received a call and alerted police.
Jail lieutenants immediately implemented security protocols and precautionary measures.
Within eight minutes, staff determined the call originated from inside the facility.
The individual has been identified as Benjamin Steven Tinker, of Portland, who has been in custody at the jail since August 2025.
Tinker is being held on charges including arson, criminal mischief and criminal threatening with a deadly weapon.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident as a criminal matter.
