Fact Check: "A 2022 case cited by DHS documents involved a student at Palm Beach State College in Florida who reported online threats of a mass shooting, leading to the arrest of a young man who was charged and sentenced to probation."
What We Know
In October 2022, a student at Palm Beach State College reported online threats made by another student, Saul Allain Jean, who was subsequently arrested. The threats included intentions to commit a mass shooting and were posted on the Change.org website. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Jean's posts contained graphic language and specific threats against individuals, including government officials. He was charged with making written threats to kill or cause bodily harm, and was held on a $1 million bond. The investigation revealed that Jean had been attending classes at the college, and he was later placed under a 14-day Risk Protection Order due to mental health concerns (WPEC).
Analysis
The claim that a student reported threats leading to an arrest is substantiated by multiple sources. The WPEC report provides detailed accounts of the threats made by Jean, including his rants against the government and specific calls for violence. The arrest was a direct result of the student's report, which aligns with the Department of Homeland Security's emphasis on the importance of reporting threats to prevent potential violence in educational settings.
However, the claim that Jean was sentenced to probation is not explicitly confirmed in the available sources. While he was arrested and charged, the details regarding his sentencing or any probationary measures following the arrest are not provided in the reports. This lack of information raises questions about the completeness of the claim, particularly regarding the legal outcomes following his arrest.
The sources used in this analysis, particularly the news reports from WPEC and other local news outlets, are credible as they are based on official statements from law enforcement. However, they may not provide exhaustive legal details, such as sentencing outcomes, which are often covered in subsequent court reports.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The initial part of the claim regarding the reporting of threats and the arrest of Saul Allain Jean is accurate and well-supported by credible sources. However, the assertion that he was sentenced to probation lacks confirmation in the available information. Therefore, while the core of the claim is true, it is essential to note the uncertainty surrounding the specifics of his sentencing.
Sources
- News & Press Releases
- List of attacks related to secondary schools
- College student threatens massacre, blasts government in online ... - WPEC
- Loxahatchee man arrested after alleged mass shooting plot
- Student arrested after threatening mass shooting at Palm Beach State ...
- Loxahatchee man accused of threatening mass shootings ...
- Palm Beach State College student arrested for threat of mass shooting ...
- Former classmate of man who threatened mass shootings ...
