Sheriff's office investigates possible school threat report

Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said in a press release Tuesday, Sept. 24, his office was notified by school personnel of intercepted social media communications that indicated a possible threat at the Ozark Mountain School District’s Western Grove Campus.
The identity of the person who made the threats was immediately known and an investigation ensued, resulting in the person being quickly located. The suspect making the communications is a juvenile so no names can be released at this time, but there is no longer a credible threat.

“School security and the safety of kids is something we, along with all the schools in the area, consider a top priority. The quick action in this case was the result of a citizen learning of this information, taking it seriously and notifying school officials, who then quickly contacted us.” Sheriff Wheeler said. “In today’s world we have to treat every threat as serious and credible until we either determine otherwise or take actions to make sure a person is no longer a threat. It takes everyone to do this. If you hear or see something that you feel could even potentially be a threat, let someone know so we can look into it.”
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, 14th Judicial Drug Task Force, and the 14th Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office was involved in the investigation.