NCSS & NCSO Statement On Social Media

NCSO & NCSS Announcement Regarding Social Media Comments Targeting Liberty Middle School
Posted on 10/30/2019
NCSS LogoNewton County Sheriff Ezell Brown announced this afternoon that a juvenile suspect has been identified and charged with terroristic threats and giving false information in relation to recent social media comments directed towards Liberty Middle School.

The Newton County School System deeply appreciates the assistance of both the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in the quick identification of the juvenile responsible for posting threatening comments regarding Liberty Middle School on social media. Comments like the ones posted this week cause extreme distress to students, staff, and parents and will not be tolerated by our district. While investigators determined that these particular social media comments did not represent credible threats, the Newton County School System must and will treat every threat to school safety seriously; they will always be investigated and reported to local law enforcement. Newton County School System will always err on the side of caution. The student charged in connection with these most recent social media threats will face disciplinary action in addition to any criminal charges filed by law enforcement. We also want to thank the parents of Liberty Middle School students for their cooperation and understanding as we investigated these recent social media threats and assure them that the safety of our school is our number one concern.

In his statement, Sheriff Ezell Brown urged students “not to post or repost any threats that have gone out, because it could lead back to potential charges.” He added, “Online posts such as this post or any other post with threatening statements regarding students, staff and parents will not be tolerated….We urge everyone who may have any information regarding this threat or any other threat to please contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office at 678-625-1400 or use the anonymous tip line at 678-625-1585 or http://www.newtonsheriffga.org/.”