HOUSTON – An Aldine Middle School student faces a charge of felony terroristic threat for posts made to Instagram, the Aldine Independent School District says.
It was Tuesday evening when the district’s police department received information that someone was using Instagram to make threats towards an administrator at the middle school.
During their investigation the next day, police were led to a student who was questioned about posts. Officers determined the threats came from the student’s phone, and he or she was arrested.
The Harris County District Attorney filed the felony charge against the student, who is not being identified because he or she is a minor.
“Aldine ISD will not tolerate any threats made against any Aldine ISD school or any other individual. We will work with law enforcement officers and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” stated Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney in a press release.
“Parents, I implore you to talk to your children and remind them that their actions can have serious consequences. Aldine ISD will continue to make the safety and security of our students and staff our top priority.”
The FBI office in Houston recently held a press conference warning students about the consequences of making threats and hoax threats.
They released the following information:
-- Making hoax threats directed at schools is a serious criminal action that has potentially dangerous consequences. Hoax threats are not a joke. They have ramifications for both first responders and those who issue the threats.
-- Hoax threats are dangerous to first responders and to the victims because it is not always immediately clear whether it is a hoax and the motivation behind posting the threat.
-- It is imperative that the community remain engaged in identifying and informing law enforcement of any concerns with specific individuals.
-- There are a multitude of reasons people make hoax threats, but there is always a possibility that there is true intention behind the threat, and law enforcement must investigate the origin of the threat to determine the credibility.
-- Hoax threat investigations are expensive and cost taxpayers a lot of money. Although there are no national statistics on how many of these threats are made annually, the FBI estimates there are thousands.
-- Public assistance is crucial to our efforts to curb these hoax threats. We ask that the public continue to contact law enforcement to report any potential threats or suspicious activity. If there is any reason to believe the safety of others is at risk, we ask that the public immediately reach out to their local police department by calling 911.
-- Students are reminded that if they see or hear of a threat, they should report it to law enforcement immediately. Notify authorities but don’t share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.
