Teen charged with felony in alleged Pontiac school threat

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a 20-year felony after allegedly threatening students at his Pontiac school this week, Oakland County Sheriff's officials announced Friday.

Deputies learned the teen had warned several students not to attend class Friday at the Arts and Technology Academy because “they may die,” investigators said in a statement. 

The youth also allegedly told them they "would see it on the news the following day at 10 a.m.," according to the release. 

Detectives contacted his custodial parent and requested an interview at the Pontiac sheriff's office substation in Pontiac. There, the boy denied having made the threatening statements, county officials said.

A juvenile referee approved holding the teen at the Oakland County Children’s Village.  A petition was submitted to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and the teen was arraigned in Oakland County Circuit Court on one felony count of making a terrorist threat.

He faces up to 20 years in prison or a fine of not more than $20,000 and is expected to remain in custody until his next scheduled court date, authorities said.