School Threat Probes 'Spiking' In Essex County: Official

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s not cool to be a copycat. And trying to imitate a school threats – or anything that can be interpreted as a threat – can result in serious consequences, Essex County authorities say.

On Tuesday, acting in the wake of a “considerable spike” of school-based threat investigations over the past week, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office issued a stiff warning to local juveniles and others who may be tempted to create a hair-raising social media post.

It’s no joke, prosecutors said.

Since the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, police in Essex County have investigated three separate instances of teens allegedly making threats against schools. The alleged perpetrators range in age from 13 to 18-years-old, prosecutors said.

“These copycat incidents are serious crimes and those who engage in this kind of criminal conduct face serious consequences,” Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino said. “We want to make it clear to young people who think this is a joke or a prank, that they will be prosecuted for this behavior.”

In the last few days there has been a considerable spike in incidents, Laurino said Tuesday.

Michael Schmitt, 18, of West Caldwell, was charged with false public alarm after he allegedly posted a threat against Caldwell High School on social media on Saturday.

• See related article: 'Ongoing Investigation' At James Caldwell High School

On Feb. 16, two days after the Valentine’s Day shooting in Florida, Joseph Rafanello, 18, of Nutley, was charged with false public alarm after an incident closed the Nutley High School.

• See related article: Nutley Schools Closed Because Of Security Threat

A 13-year-old from Madison and 14-year-old from Nutley were also charged with causing a false public alarm for making a threat against Abundant Life Academy, a private Pre-K to 12th-grade school in Nutley. One of the juveniles was a current student the other was a former student at the school, authorities said Tuesday.

According to prosecutors, Rafanello and Schmitt remain in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Rafanello is scheduled to have a detention hearing tomorrow. Schmitt’s detention hearing is scheduled for March 1.

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