HILLSBORO, Texas (KWTX) — A Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) inmate is accused of calling in a bomb threat to Hillsboro Elementary School on Monday, according to the Hillsboro Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Authorities say a warrant will be pursued for the 31-year-old inmate, who remains in TDCJ custody but has not been publicly identified.
Threat Prompted School Evacuation
At 7:54 a.m. on May 12, an officer stationed at the elementary school alerted Hillsboro DPS to the reported threat. The school was immediately evacuated, and law enforcement conducted a full search of the campus. No explosive devices were found, police confirmed.
Investigation Traced Call to TDCJ Facility
With help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), investigators identified a person of interest later that morning. By that afternoon, authorities had traced the location of the phone used to make the threat to a TDCJ cell phone inside the Michael Unit, a prison located in Tennessee Colony, Texas.
The inmate reportedly used a cell phone from inside his cell to make the threat, police said.
Motive Tied to School Worker Arrest
Investigators believe the threat was connected to a 47-year-old contracted cafeteria worker at Hillsboro Elementary, who is from Whitney, Texas. She was arrested the same day on an outstanding warrant out of Anderson County for possession of a controlled substance.
Authorities allege the inmate’s motive was related to the woman’s arrest, though further details have not been disclosed. An additional warrant will be sought for the inmate while he remains in custody.
Ongoing Investigation
Police believe the incident was isolated, but described the investigation as still “fluid” and ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Marcos Quintana at 254-582-8406.
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