St. Clair Shores Teacher Charged In Connection To Threat: Police

St. Clair Shores MI

20 December, 2021

11:13 AM

Description

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI — A creative arts teacher at Jefferson Middle School in St. Clair Shores was placed on administrative leave and arrested in connection to a threat directed at the school, the Macomb County Prosecutor's office said. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido authorized Monday a charge of false report or threat of terrorism against the teacher, 59-year-old Johnna Rhone, the sheriff's office said. The charge of false report or threat of terrorism is a 20-year felony. Lucido said his office would take a "zero tolerance" approach. "We promise to prosecute every one of these threats," Lucido said. "That's the only way you can get the message across. There will not be a walk. There will not be leniency." Officials said an investigation revealed Rhone slipped several inappropriate, handwritten notes under multiple faculty members' office doors threatening school violence on Friday, Dec. 17. Lakeview Public Schools Superintendent Karl Paulson said he believes one of the notes appeared to be a false threat in the hope of closing school. "Administrators worked with law enforcement to quickly identify the alleged distributor of the notes through review of camera video footage," Paulson said in a statement. "One of the notes appeared to be an attempt at making a false threat in the hope of closing school. Based on the facts, information and timeline, the team was confident everyone was safe, and there was no need for initiating any lockdown or other safety protocols." Paulson added the school district takes all "potential disruption to our schools seriously, and cooperate fully with police when the need arises. This situation is no different." "Finally, I want to assure families we will continue to investigate any information provided to us that may be of concern. Our schools stay safe when we work together. Remember, see something — say something." The urge to report threats of violence at schools comes as several people, including students have been charged for making "copycat" threats in relation to the Oxford School Shooting that left four students dead and seven other people injured on Nov. 30.