18-year-old admits to school threat

Yahoo

18-02-2025

GOSHEN — A Goshen man has pleaded guilty to posting online threats against the school.
Andre Smith, 18, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to intimidation as a Level 6 felony. He was charged with two counts of intimidation after his arrest in September.
He entered the plea in Elkhart County Circuit Court ahead of a jury trial set for March 10. Judge Michael Christofeno accepted his plea and set sentencing for March 12.
Smith was arrested Sept. 18 while Goshen police were investigating a threat against Goshen Community Schools posted online at around midnight. The posts on the 'Nosy Neighbors of Michiana' Facebook group stated, 'Goshen high school students be ready' followed by several gun and devil face emojis, and 'My friend will take care of GPD also be ready boys in blue.'
Classes remained open that day though after-school activities and athletic practices were canceled. Police said only 21 percent of students attended school following the threat.
The Indiana State Police became involved in the investigation and obtained a search warrant to get more information about the account which posted the threat. They learned that the user's given date of birth was July 15, 2006, and GPS data indicated that the user was near the Winchester Trails community.
Comcast Internet provided police with the user's IP address and account information. The service provider said the user was Smith, who lived at 149 Winchester Trails, according to police.
Police confirmed Smith's name and address and executed a warrant at his residence shortly before 5 p.m. with help from the Elkhart County Regional SWAT unit. Smith was arrested and brought to the police department for questioning.
Smith admitted to creating the Facebook account and posting the threats against the school, according to police. He said he wanted to 'scare people that were mean to others' and used a pentagram profile picture to appear scarier.