March 27, 2010
Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. and Morristown Police Chief Peter Demnitz announce the arrest of two Morristown High School students and charged them with making a false public alarm.

Neither of the two students were behind a threat to kill people that led to a heightened state of security two weeks ago.

Law Enforcement is still investigating a written threat to kill 15 people on March 15 that had been left in a boy's bathroom.

Two students, both 17 years old, were arrested late Friday afternoon March 26, 2010 and lodged in the Morris County youth detention facility. Both were charged with making a false public alarm, a third-degree offense.

Student #1
17 yoa, male
Morris Township resident
Grade 11
Charges - False Public Alarm - 3rd degree

It is alleged that on March 11, 2010 this student created a false public alarm by initiating a warning of an impending emergency knowing that the warning was false or baseless and likely to cause public inconvenience or alarm. This alleged activity took place while the Morristown High School was experiencing a heightened state of alert due to recent threats to kill. It is alleged that this student communicated a threat other than the ones released publically. He also is alleged to have misled detectives.

Student #2
17 yoa, male
Morristown resident
Grade 11
Charges - False Public Alarm - 3rd degree

It is alleged that on March 12, 2010 this student created a false public alarm by initiating a warning of an impending emergency knowing that the warning was false or baseless and likely to cause public inconvenience or alarm. This alleged activity took place while the Morristown High School was experiencing a heightened state of alert due to recent threats to kill. It is alleged that this student repeatedly yelled a predetermined word that is used to alert students and faculty of an emergency at the school.

Both students were arrested late Friday afternoon. Both were lodged in the Morris County Youth Detention Facility. One student (Morris Township) was released Saturday morning under house arrest while the other student remained incarcerated.

Both students will appear in juvenile court on Monday.

It should be noted that both of these juveniles are not alleged to have been the persons who were writing statements that were previously made public. These allegations are for conduct in addition to, but independent from, those matters that have already been made public.

The investigation regarding the actors who wrote those statements is still ongoing.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi stated:

"I commend the tenacity of both the Morristown Police and Morris County Prosecutor's Office detectives who have been working this case aggressively from the onset. The detectives working in conjunction with the Morris School District and specifically District Superintendant Dr. Thomas Ficarra and Morristown High School Principal Linda Murphy have proceeded very diligently and professionally.

Lastly, our sincere thanks to the Morristown High School students, parents, and community who have stood by in support of the increased security measures and also those that have provided both the High School Administration and the Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime Stoppers with very helpful information. I ask that this practice continue as we continue to investigate this matter.

We are taking this matter very seriously for two reasons. First, it is our primary concern to ensure that each student and staff member is safe from any potential danger. Secondly, however, is to attempt to determine who is responsible for this activity. Even if this turns out to be a hoax, it has nevertheless caused extreme disruption of school services and expended and squandered significant police resources.

It has destabilized many people, caused unnecessary fear and concern, has led in my opinion to increased 'copy cat' activity, and has squandered significant taxpayer money. In all, this kind of activity is not viewed as a prank or hoax, even if it is later determined that there was no true danger posed by those responsible. It will not be condoned by either the school and/or law enforcement community."

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his/her
rights guaranteed by the United States and New Jersey Constitution and relevant state law.