16-year-old made six calls

By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Authorities from St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s department arrested a 16-year old boy Friday after a lengthy investigation into a series of phony bomb threats on East St. John High School.

Detective Thomas Young, head of the high crimes unit for the St. John Sheriff’s Office, said the boy, who’s name was not released, was charged with making six false bomb threats to St. John 911 communicators. Young said all six calls originated from the grounds of the school, where the boy attends classes as a sophomore.

“Our detectives worked with the cell phone company to narrow the search for the phone,” said Young. “The service provider was able to triangulate the exact location of where the calls came from within a 250 yard radius. East St. John High School was included in that radius.”

Through a subpoena of phone records, Young said investigators were able to retrieve the phone’s IMEF number, a unique identification number that is used to transfer information to and from the phone. Young said the sheriff’s office was using classified equipment on loan from the FBI to help in the investigation.

Sheriff Wayne Jones said the boy is being held at the St. James Juvenile Detention center awaiting a continued custody hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday. Sheriff Jones said Judge Mary Becnel will preside over the hearing to determine if the boy will remain detained.

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.