18-year-old charged with making terrorist threat against high school in Lee County

Dontae Deshawn Ford – Photo from Lee County Sheriff’s Office

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says an 18-year-old has been arrested and charged with making a threat against Smith Station High School.

Dontae Deshawn Ford was arrested at his home on Lee County Road 240 in the Phenix City area of Lee County, Sheriff Jay Jones said.

Jones said today, a school resource officer got a call from a staff member at the school regarding a social media threat about shooting up the school. A second report was also received about a threat from a concerned citizen.

SROs and Lee County investigators worked with school officials in identifying the alleged suspect as being a former student, Jones said.

When Ford was arrested, Jones said investigators did not find any guns on or around him. He said Ford was never on the school campus at any point and admitted to the threat.

Ford has been charged with one count of making a terrorist threat in the first degree. He is being held in the Lee County Detention Center on a $15,000 bond with $2,000 cash required. He is also not allowed on any school or educational facility property, Jones said.

If you have information about the case, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP.