LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State Police say law-enforcement agencies across the state had to deal with a rash of school threats Tuesday morning.
One report making the rounds featured a voice reporting to police that there had been a supposed shooting at a school. The robo-calls are also known as "swatting." In West Michigan school districts in Muskegon, Portage and Battle Creek all received fake 9-1-1 calls.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel posted a video online saying her office and state police are cracking down on the hoaxes.
"Pranks and idle threats will be taken seriously and have serious consequences," she said. "So, if you receive a threat or know of a threat against your community, please contact your local law enforcement."
You can also leave a tip with the state’s OK2SAY hotline by calling 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729) or texting 652729 (OK2SAY). The hotline operates 24/7 and protects the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity.
Nessel said bogus threats can result in fines of up to $50,000.
"A kid that decides to post threatening messages on social media about bringing a weapon to school as a prank - or decides to get school canceled by calling in a fake bomb threat - could face felony charges and prison time," she said.
Nessel explains in the video the potential charges one could face if they make a threat of violence, which include:
- communicating a threat of terrorism, 20-year felony;
- calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony;
- malicious use of a telecommunications device, a six-month misdemeanor; and
- threatening violence against school employee or student, a one-year misdemeanor.
Additionally, swatting could result in the following charges:
- false report of a crime, a 93-day misdemeanor;
- false report resulting in physical injury, a 5-year felony;
- false report resulting in a serious bodily impairment, a 10-year felony; and/or
- false report resulting in a death, a 15-year felony.
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