SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — As students across San Diego County prepare to head back to school, the FBI San Diego Field Office is issuing a serious reminder: hoax threats are federal crimes with real consequences.
In a statement released earlier this week, the agency urged students and parents to understand the dangers — and the legal penalties — tied to making or sharing false threats against schools or public spaces.
“Whether real or fake, the FBI takes every threat seriously, putting our full investigative force behind each one,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “My message to the public, and especially our school-age youth is this: if you make a hoax threat, the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to identify you and hold you accountable.
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Hoax threats — even when intended as pranks — can trigger full-scale law enforcement responses, disrupt schools and communities, and inflict emotional distress on students, parents, and staff, FBI officials explained. They also waste valuable public resources and may delay responses to real emergencies…