Three Arrests Made in Connection w/Jasper Schools Bomb Threat

Three arrests have been made of Jasper school district students after Monday's bomb threat incident.

Newton Police Chief Mike Swick said two male juveniles were taken into custody late Monday evening and later transferred to Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.  Swick's statement indicated the juveniles are being held on disorderly conduct charges and will be returned for a hearing in Jasper County Circuit Court this week. 

A third male was arrested Tuesday morning when he arrived for classes at Newton Community High School.  The third individual, who is 17 years old, will also be scheduled for a court hearing this week.

Jasper Superintendent of Schools Dan Cox said the phone threat was received at 12:10pm Monday that a bomb was to go off in the Newton Community High School/Jasper County Junior High School building at 2pm.  Students were evacuated and taken to St. Thomas School in Newton.  Law enforcement officers and an Illinois State Police Bomb Detection K-9 canvassed the building, but no bomb was discovered.

Classes were held as usual Tuesday.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Department, Newton Police Department and the Jasper County State's Attorney's Office are investigating the incident.

(LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES WERE ON SCENE MONDAY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH BUILDING IN NEWTON)