Bay Area 18-year-old arrested after posting 'joke' bomb threat to school

"A Santa Rosa 18-year-old was arrested after posting what he called a "joke" bomb threat Wednesday to a Yolo County high school, authorities said. Sonoma County sheriff's deputies were alerted around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday that someone had commented, "I'm bringing a bomb to school tomorrow," on an Instagram post from Pioneer High School's after-school programs account, Sgt. Juan Valencia said."

"Police in Woodland - where the school is located - contacted Sonoma County deputies because the comment came from a Santa Rosa account. Deputies found the 18-year-old at his home and searched the property but did not find any bomb-making materials. The man told investigators he made the post "as a joke," according to the Sheriff's Office. He was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of making criminal threats"

"a charge that can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony. He was later released on $30,000 bail. The Press Democrat is not naming the man because he has not been charged and it's unclear how prosecutors will handle the case. "We take all threats seriously and will investigate them and arrest those involved," Valencia said in an email. "This is not a joke." Valencia said deputies have seen more online threats lately, though he didn't have data to show whether such cases are actually increasing. He cited a recent bomb threat sent to multiple Sonoma County departments and reports of students claiming online they planned to bring guns to school."

An 18-year-old from Santa Rosa posted "I'm bringing a bomb to school tomorrow" as a comment on Pioneer High School's after-school Instagram account. Sonoma County sheriff's deputies traced the comment, located the man at his home and searched the property but found no bomb-making materials. The man told investigators he made the post "as a joke." He was arrested and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats and later released on $30,000 bail. The Press Democrat is not naming him because he has not been charged. Deputies report increased online threats, including bomb threats and students claiming plans to bring guns to school.

Read at The Mercury News