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A 15-year-old faces charges for allegedly orchestrating bomb threats against Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland this past May, according to local authorities.
Montgomery County Police Department reported that the teen collaborated with a 12-year-old from Pennsylvania to initiate the threats, resulting in the school being locked down. It appears the older teen found the younger on social media and paid him an undisclosed sum to make the threatening calls. The identities of both minors have not been disclosed by officials.
Authorities noted that the 15-year-old provided real-time guidance and directions to the 12-year-old during the calls. The demands made during these calls included a specific sum of money to prevent the bombs from being detonated.
In response to the threats, SWAT teams and canine units were dispatched to the school. No explosives were found following a comprehensive search of the premises, and students were sent home for the day.
The following day, similar threats were made by the duo to Walt Whitman High School and Bethesda Elementary School, as stated by the police.
Charges against the 15-year-old include multiple felonies such as threats of mass violence, making a false statement, and extortion. He has since been released to his guardians.
As per Maryland law, the younger child cannot face charges. Police emphasized that despite this, the incident disrupted school activities, caused significant distress among students, staff, and affected the wider community.