Juvenile Suspect in Custody for DeSoto School Phone Threat

The person who issued threats of violence against DeSoto ISD’s Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy in a Tuesday morning 9-1-1 call is in custody due to some exceptional police work by the DeSoto Police Department working closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and investigators from Mansfield (Texas) ISD.  

The suspect, who is a juvenile and cannot be identified publicly, was charged with issuing a False Alarm or Report which is a State of Texas Jail Felony and is being held in a local Juvenile Detention Center. The threat caused a disruption in classes at four DeSoto ISD campuses and resulted in police officers from DeSoto, Glenn Heights, Lancaster, and Cedar Hill Police Departments and also from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office being sent to secure those four school campuses until the threat was ruled out.  

DeSoto Police detectives worked closely with Texas DPS investigators to identify the caller’s phone carrier and were able to determine the location in Mansfield where the call originated. DeSoto PD and Texas DPS investigators worked with Mansfield ISD investigators to identify a possible juvenile suspect and confirmed the person responsible for the threats after visiting the address to speak with the juvenile and the juvenile’s family.  

DeSoto’s Assistant Police Chief Ryan Jesionek praised the teamwork that led to the quick arrest. He also reflected on the impact Tuesday’s incident had on the community. “Even though the call turned out to be a hoax, the disruption that this individual caused in our community was very real. Many in our community are left feeling at risk, and a juvenile is now being held at a detention center. These are very real consequences for everyone.”  

“DeSoto ISD is deeply appreciative of the DeSoto Police Department and all of the agencies that worked closely with them to keep our students safe and for the great job that they did to track down the caller so quickly who made these threats,” said DeSoto ISD Superintendent Dr. Usamah Rodgers. “All of us at DeSoto ISD are comforted to know that our friends in the local law enforcement community have our backs and are looking out for our safety and well-being.” 

DeSoto ISD students and family members who may need assistance processing Tuesday’s events may reach out to DeSoto ISD Counseling Services at 214-223-6666 ext 8214.