Sheriff James A. McVicker announced today the arrest of Cevon Ferris Jones, 16, of 10898 South College Street, Clarkton. Jones was charged with making a false report of mass violence on educational property, a class H felony carrying a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.
“This young man created a false Facebook Profile that showed photographs of clowns and threatening violence at East Bladen High School,” said McVicker. “He had placed symbols of a bomb and a gun and worded his post to lead others to believe there would be an attack at the high school.”
McVicker said his office received the report on Wednesday morning and immediately began an investigation. “Lieutenant Morgan Johnson led the investigation and we were able to track down Jones through various means within six hours of getting the report. We believe Jones was acting alone and he did not commit any overt acts to carry out the threat.”
McVicker said he did not believe the case to be related to similar cases in Columbus county.
“We were in contact with the schools and kept Dr. Taylor, the superintendent of schools aware of our investigation,” McVicker said. “We received the full cooperation of the schools involved and the administration. At no time were students or faculty ever in danger.” McVicker also said that Jones was a student at West Bladen High School but made his false threats aimed at East Bladen High School.
Jones is being held in Bladen County jail under a $500 bond awaiting a first appearance later today.
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