Two arrested in connection with Watkins bomb threats

PATASKALA – Two 15-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the two bomb threats at Watkins Memorial High School this week.

One teen has been arrested and charged with two counts of inducing panic. Another was also arrested and charged with complicity.

According to a report from the Licking County Sheriff's Office, both admitted to committing the acts so the teen charged with complicity would not have to attend school.

The teen charged with complicity admitted to conspiring with the teen charged with inducing panic, who according to the report, only admitted to sending the first threatening email on Tuesday.

This morning, the Licking County Sheriff's Office responded to a possible bomb threat at Watkins Memorial High School for the second time this week.

Thursday's threat was directed at outdoor facilities near the high school and the building was placed on a level one lockdown for about an hour while authorities searched the school grounds and the building, Harmon said.

Nothing suspicious was found during that search and the lockdown was lifted.

The school was evacuated and students sent home early Tuesday after a threat was sent to Principal Ben Richards via email. That threat was later deemed to be a hoax after dogs trained to sniff out explosives searched the school and vehicles in the parking lot.

PREVIOUSLY: Watkins bomb hoax ties up resources, disrupts school

Thursday's threat was also sent through email, but from a different account than Tuesday's threat, Harmon said. Deputies and detectives are working to trace the IP address where the emails originated.

Harmon said the person who sent Thursday's threat had knowledge of the school's policies when it comes to evacuations. He said the account appeared to be European, but could be someone local who knows how to manipulate technology in a way to appear to be from elsewhere.

"We have to take it seriously every time (a threat) occurs," he said. "We're not going to let (the cost) stop us from ensuring the safety of the kids and of the public."

Watkins Memorial High School students were taking final exams Thursday. The school website lists Friday as the last day of classes for this school year.