CROTHERSVILLE— An 18-year-old Crothersville High School student was arrested Wednesday morning on felony intimidation charges following alarming threats directed at the school community.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., school officials alerted the Crothersville Police Department that James S. Collman had made threatening comments to fellow students, expressing intentions to cause harm. Responding swiftly, a Crothersville officer detained Collman at the school.
Given the seriousness of the threats, the Crothersville Police sought assistance from additional law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of students and staff. Officers from the Indiana State Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Excise Police, and Brownstown Police Department arrived on the scene to assist with evacuating the Crothersville School building.
In light of the situation, school administration decided to cancel classes for the remainder of the day, prioritizing student safety. Extra law enforcement remained on site to oversee the safe release of students to their families.
In a coordinated effort, officers conducted a thorough sweep of the school to ensure its safety. A canine unit from the New Albany Police Department and the Columbus Police Department Bomb Squad provided support. Fortunately, no weapons or explosive devices were discovered during the search, allowing the building to be deemed safe for students and staff to return.
Following the investigation, Collman was arrested and taken to the Jackson County Jail, where he is being held on a felony intimidation charge. Additional charges may be pending. Collman will remain incarcerated until his initial court appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
