Pottawattamie County authorities say an Ohio man was arrested Thursday for alleged threats made in connection to a school shooting exercise that was to have taken place last month.
Sheriff Jeff Danker says 47-year old Robin Elston, of Columbus, Ohio, was taken into custody on a warrant for one-count of threat of terrorism and one-count of threats, in association with the March 25th exercise at the Treynor High School.
The sheriff’s office was notified that a threat had been left on voicemail at the Treynor High School just after 2 AM March 25th. The message said, “If you are smart, I wouldn’t go to work tomorrow or today. You think about that. [Expletive] illegal. I don’t give a God [expletive] about ’em. And I don’t even live in your [expletive] state.”.
The caller left several more profane remarks before hanging up. Through an investigation, it was determined the alleged threat came from a cell phone registered to Robin Elston. When the Columbus, Ohio, police made contact with Elston, he allegedly admitted to calling the school, but did not remember what he said.
Ellston was scheduled to make his initial appearance this morning. His bond was set at $10,000. The exercise became controversial after it was revealed it was based on the scenario of a school shooting involving two teens, including one with ties to a white supremacist group who was angry with illegal immigration.
The exercise was canceled after the threats.
By Ric Hanson, KJAN, Atlantic