Press release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

Updated at 8:15 p.m. with corrected information from ASO

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On Monday, September 18, at approximately 6:20 a.m., deputies with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Relations Bureau were contacted by Alachua County school administrators from both Buchholz High School and Kanapaha Middle School related to a bomb threat that was received at both schools via email.

The information obtained from school officials prompted a coordinated response from members of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, Juvenile Relations Bureau, K-9 Unit, and Bomb Squad. Additional explosive detection dogs were requested from the University of Florida Police Department, who graciously assisted.

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The deputies who responded to both Buchholz High School and Kanapaha Middle School performed a very methodical search of each school with the use of explosive detection dogs and assistance from members of the bomb squad. After several hours, both schools were deemed safe.

While deputies worked to ensure each school was safe and secure, detectives from the ACSO Criminal Investigation Division began working to determine the source of the threats. Through their diligent efforts, our detectives identified 13-year-old Ja’neiah Anthony as the person who is suspected of sending both email threats. Anthony is currently enrolled as an 8th-grade student at Kanapaha Middle School and after speaking with ACSO detectives, Anthony confessed to sending both threats.

Anthony was arrested and charged with the following crimes:
Fl. State Statute 836.10 – Written or electronic threats to commit an act of terrorism Fl. State Statute 877.13 – Disruption of a school function
Fl. State Statute 934.215 – Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Anthony was transported to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, where she was turned over to their custody.