PA teen charged with making bomb threat to NY school

MIDDLETOWN – State Police at Middletown have arrested a 17-year-old Shohola, PA youth for allegedly making a bomb threat against Port Jervis High School.

Troopers arrested Robert Phelps of Rt. 434 in Shohola on a felony charge of falsely reporting an incident in the first degree.

The arrest stems from an April 9 phone call received at Port Jervis High School reporting that there would be bombs placed at the school. The call prompted the search of the school to ensure the safety of the staff and students by State Police, Port Jervis City Police and Town of Deerpark Police.

Investigation revealed the caller used an Internet service to place the call to the school.

On April 17, Middletown State Police, along with the State Police computer Crimes Unit, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police, executed a search warrant at the Phelps residence in Pennsylvania and recovered evidence.

Police said additional phone calls made in both New York and Pennsylvania are being investigated.