A 16-year-old male was charged* today with four counts of threats of violence (intent to terrorize) in connection to online threats made against several schools, announced Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena.
According to the petition (found under court file number 19HA-JV-25-1199), on the evening of Monday, Dec. 15, officers at Apple Valley Police Department were contacted regarding a series of posts made on several social media platforms about threats directed at four high schools located in Dakota County.
Officers immediately investigated the origin of the posts and identified the source was located at a residence in Eagan. They also verified the phone number associated with the social media accounts and posts.
On Tuesday, Dec. 16, Apple Valley officers obtained a search warrant. Before executing the warrant, Eagan officers were positioned outside the home. They observed a vehicle leave and initiated a traffic stop. The driver and the passenger were identified as the juvenile's parents. After questioning, the teen's mother confirmed the phone number discovered during the investigation belonged to the juvenile.
The officers then entered the home and questioned the teen. He also confirmed the phone number as well as the social media accounts associated with the online threats belonged to him. The teen was then arrested and transported to the Juvenile Services Center in Hastings.
“Any threat of gun violence, especially when directed at schools, is taken very seriously by my office," said County Attorney Keena. “I want to thank the student who reported the threats to a school resource officer. Your actions played an important role in protecting the safety of other students and staff while the police investigated the threat."
County Attorney Keena also thanked the Apple Valley, Burnsville and Eagan police departments for the thorough investigation of this incident.
The next court appearance is Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings. The juvenile will remain in custody at the Juvenile Services Center.
*Criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.