Tehama County School Threat Adjudicated; Sheriff Seeks Legislative Reform for Juvenile Sentencing
EVERGREEN, CA – The case involving a thwarted school threat directed at Evergreen Middle School in May has been concluded, resulting in the sentencing of both juvenile suspects by the court. The investigation commenced after the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office received information from a Tennessee teenager regarding an online gaming conversation in which a Tehama County teen disclosed a plan to attack the school.
The Deputy who initially took the report promptly began an investigation utilizing social media, online digital records, and other digital investigative techniques. The Deputy identified two teenage juvenile suspects and discovered images of the teens dressed in attire similar to the Columbine school shooters. Information developed by the Deputy indicated the suspects’ intent was to kill over 100 people at the school. The Deputy’s actions were based on developing credible information that the threat was imminent, leading to swift measures to mitigate the potential risk. The investigation also uncovered videos of the teens shooting guns and testing homemade explosive devices reportedly planned for use against the school.
School administration and command staff were notified the same night, and Detectives and the Major Crimes Task Force assumed control of the investigation. Search warrants were written and executed immediately at the residences of both teens. During interviews, one of the teens reportedly admitted to the plan and provided specific details of the intended actions.
Both teens were arrested and faced charges including Attempted First Degree Murder, Possession of Materials with Intent to Construct a Destructive Device, and Possession of a Destructive Device. Following adjudication, one of the teens was sentenced to four years in a youth facility, and the other was sentenced to 364 days.
The Sheriff’s Office partnered with the FBI and the Tehama County District Attorney’s Office during the investigation and prosecution. Officials specifically credited the Tennessee teenager for providing the initial information, stating that the action potentially prevented a major incident in Tehama County.
Sheriff Kain has expressed concerns regarding California criminal justice law involving minors and youth sentencing guidelines. Specifically, the laws prevented the public identification of the suspects and limited the court’s ability to impose a more significant sentence. Due to these factors, Sheriff Kain has written a letter to California Assemblyman James Gallagher requesting criminal justice reform pertaining to juvenile offenders.
