2004 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

April 15, 2004

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Lindenwold Police Chief Francis A. McHenry reported today that a 16-year-old male from Lindenwold is being held at the Camden County Juvenile Detention Center in Gloucester Township on a charge of Terroristic Threats. He is accused of telling two Lindenwold High School students that he planned a violent attack at the school on Friday, April 16, 2004.

Superior Court Judge Louis F. Hornstine ordered the youth to be detained, saying the defendant posed a "potential danger to himself, but more particularly to the community." The judge, citing public sensitivity to such threats, also ordered that the teen undergo a psychological and psychiatric evaluation and scheduled a pre-trial conference for April 22, 2004. The defendant faces up to two years' incarceration if adjudicated delinquent on the third-degree charge.

The defendant is a student at Camden County Technical School. He allegedly compiled a list of Lindenwold High School students he intended to harm, but the names and number of targets is unclear at this time. School officials are aware of the allegations.

"In this day and age, threats of this nature must be taken seriously," said Sarubbi, noting that the defendant made references to the April 1999 attacks at Columbine High School in Colorado. "I commend those young people who had the good judgment to alert authorities to the alleged plot and to cooperate with the investigation."

Preliminary investigation indicates that no other individuals were involved in the alleged plot. There is no indication the defendant had access to firearms or other weapons. As a precaution, Lindenwold Police are increasing patrols at and around the high school.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.