Teen who threatened South Burlington schools back in jail

BURLINGTON — A teenager who pleaded guilty to making a series of escalating threats against students and classmates at South Burlington High School in April is back in custody for violating the conditions of his release.

The messages included threats of killings with guns and knives, and one contained a “murder list” with names of students and teachers. They led to three days of lockdowns at the high school and a one-day cancellation of classes districtwide.

Josiah Leach, 19, pleaded guilty in October and was required to participate in counseling as part of his release pending sentencing in February. However, he was recently kicked out of a program at the Howard Center for reportedly setting off stink bombs on three separate occasions, assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher said at a hearing Friday.

Drescher told Judge Geoffrey Crawford that Leach’s actions caused some patients and staff to evacuate the building because of the smell, and the disruption “echoes” the conduct he pleaded guilty to earlier this year.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2017/11/17/teen-threatened-south-burlington-schools-back-jail/#.WhQAxXlryuA