On April 25, 2012, authorities at the Easton High School received information that a current student at the high school was planning an attack on the building and students. Consistent with school protocols, the information was immediately reported to the Easton Police Department. This initial report and information later led to a location in Talbot County; which involved the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office later assumed primary control of the investigation.
Through the course of initial and follow-up interviews, the student at the center of the threat was interviewed and subsequently arrested on April 25th. This minor child was detained and charged as a juvenile with the crimes of False Statement to Detonate an Explosive Device, and Manufacture and/or Possession of a Destructive Device. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services took custody of the child on the day of the arrest; holding them in detention pending a formal juvenile detention hearing in the Talbot County Circuit Court. Formal detention review hearings were held on April 27 and again on May 4 which determined that the child should remain in the custody of Juvenile Services. It was at the May 4 detention hearing that the Talbot County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed the charge of False Statement to Detonate an Explosive Device. Information learned from the initial arrest and recovery of evidence was pursued during the time frame of the arrest and the child’s detention. An additional detention hearing was conducted on May 11, 2012, with the court determining that the child be released to the custody of their family. It was stipulated that the child be monitored through the use of a GPS electronic ankle bracelet.
Through the course of this investigation, it was determined that a formal plan was being designed and staged for initiation that would involve the potential use of explosive devices and the use of firearms to assault the building and the students in the facility. The initial case investigation developed leads, statements, electronic evidence, and other materials that supported the arrest and placement of charges. A number of interviews were conducted in an effort to corroborate information, and to address periphery issues and other persons that could have been related to this investigation.
As this investigation moved forward, a court issued search and seizure warrant was served on a residence in Talbot County. As investigative materials and items of evidence were collected in this case, a subsequent court issued search and seizure warrant was served on specific electronic devices associated with this investigation. A third court issued search and seizure warrant was subsequently obtained for a computer seized as evidence in this case. That warrant and computer are currently under the control of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms computer forensic services section for analysis.
Through the course of this investigation, there was full and complete cooperation from school authorities; with the established protocols of notification, student access, and control and security of information and evidence being followed. The timely report, receipt, and action on the information initially divulged in this case was paramount to the immediate arrest, recovery of evidence, and termination of a tentative proposed attack plan. Students, parents, or others who receive information, tips, or school security concerns should continue to report any and all information to assure the safety of our students and schools. Further investigation into this incident is continuing.
Ron Sasiela says
Sounds like a potential Colinbine incident was prevented by the swift and through work of law enforcement agencies. Now the task becomes how to learn from the incident and ways to prevent it from ever beginning again in the future. Was the child a devotee of similar situations via his/her viewing of materials on the internet?, did an older person put the thought in the child’s head?, who did the child contact for bomb-making materials?, etc.