Bomb Threat at Marathon High School turns out to be false

At 8:19 a.m. this morning, Marathon School Resource Officer Deputy Derick Velez notified the Sheriff’s Office a bomb threat had been called in directly to the school. Just a minute later, the school began evacuating students and staff from school buildings.

Traffic was stopped on Sombrero Beach Road and Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. A room by room search of the school failed to turn up any threat.

At 10:30 a.m., students and staff were allowed to return to their classes and traffic was allowed to resume on Sombrero Beach Road.

The Sheriff’s Office will be investigating the circumstances of the bomb threat. Investigating detectives will also work with Key West Police to determine if a bomb threat at Key West High School this morning is related to the call at Marathon High School.

Calling in a false bomb threat is a second degree felony. See statute below:

790.163 False report about planting bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction; penalty.—

(1) It is unlawful for any person to make a false report, with intent to deceive, mislead, or otherwise misinform any person, concerning the placing or planting of any bomb, dynamite, other deadly explosive, or weapon of mass destruction as defined in s. 790.166; and any person convicted thereof commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, adjudication of guilt or imposition of sentence for a violation of this section may not be suspended, deferred, or withheld. However, the state attorney may move the sentencing court to reduce or suspend the sentence of any person who is convicted of a violation of this section and who provides substantial assistance in the identification, arrest, or conviction of any of his or her accomplices, accessories, coconspirators, or principals.

(3) Proof that a person accused of violating this section knowingly made a false report is prima facie evidence of the accused person’s intent to deceive, mislead, or otherwise misinform any person.

(4) In addition to any other penalty provided by law with respect to any person who is convicted of a violation of this section that resulted in the mobilization or action of any law enforcement officer or any state or local agency, a person convicted of a violation of this section may be required by the court to pay restitution for all of the costs and damages arising from the criminal conduct.

History.—s. 3, ch. 59-29; s. 749, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 2002-28.