Teen charged with making Canton school threats

A 17-year-old has been charged with making threats against two Canton high schools, officials said Thursday.

Brendan James Sibel was formally charged Wednesday in 35th District Court in Plymouth with two counts of making a false report or threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony, and two counts of making a bomb threat, a 4-year felony, according to court records.

A judge set his bond at $250,000, officials said. It's not clear when he will next appear in court.

Chad Baugh, deputy director of the Canton Public Safety Department, said Sibel is accused of making threats against both Canton and Salem High Schools on Monday.

Both school buildings are located at the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district's Plymouth-Canton Educational Park in Canton.

Sibel allegedly wrote threats on a bathroom wall in each building, according to Baugh. The threats were found at about 7:15 a.m. and a 9:10 a.m.

Police assessed the situation and determined the threats were not credible, officials said.

The latest incident came days after threats forced officials to put schools on a "soft lockdown" on March 1 and on Feb. 23.

District officials said Thursday they have a zero-tolerance policy for threats made against any of its schools.

“Threats made against our schools, regardless of intent, will not be tolerated," Monica Merritt, the district's superintendent, said in a statement. "Any threats to the safety of our students and staff will be taken seriously, and those deemed responsible will be held accountable.”

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement Thursday her office is taking the charges seriously.

“We are evaluating these very serious cases on an individual basis," she said. 
"In this case, we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt alleged bomb and terrorism threats. We urge anyone that has any information on any potential school threat case to notify law enforcement immediately.”

cramirez@detroitnews.com