COURT HOUSE — Angel Velez, 18, of this town was arraigned in Superior Court Friday Dec. 12 on charges of making three written bomb threats in September against the school he attended, Wildwood High School.
He told Judge Raymond A. Batten the threats were “just a joke” and he was “just kidding.”
“Do you think making three bomb threats against a public high school is a joke?” asked Batten.
“It won’t happen again, I’m out of school,” replied Velez.
Batten asked if he would then make bomb threats against places other than schools.
Wildwood High School Principal Gladys Lauriello told Batten she had concerns with the bomb threats since there were students as young as the sixth grade in the building.
She said evacuating the school was difficult because of its urban setting on city streets.
Lauriello said Velez had made specific threats against staff members including the school resource officer and assistant principal. She said she had a strong suspicion Velez had made the bomb threats which was confirmed by surveillance video.
Following expulsion from Wildwood High School, Velez was also removed from two special schools. She said he also refused to participate in an independent study program
“I don’t see how we can bring Angel back to a school environment,” said Lauriello.
Batten asked if Velez was unable or unwilling to return to school.
“Unwilling,” replied Lauriello.
She said Velez’s bomb threats caused a lot of stress at the school. He refused to come forward and admit his guilt during a school investigation, said Lauriello.
“He encouraged younger students to assist him,” she said.
When questioned by Batten, Velez said he was neither working or attending school but just “hanging out” with friend during the day.
Batten said Velez showed virtually no remorse for his deeds and giving probation would leave him with a sense of tragedy.
For the public welfare, Velez may need to spend a long time in state prison, said Batten.
A status conference is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2009.
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