B.G. boy gets one week in jail for school death threats

A 14-year-old boy will spend a week in the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center in connection with a threat to bomb Battle Ground’s Chief Umtuch Middle School in September.

Jeff A. Erwin of Battle Ground was sentenced Thursday by Superior Court Commissioner Dayann Liebman.

Erwin was originally charged with harassment death threats and making threats to bomb, both felonies. He pleaded guilty to harassment death threats in exchange for dismissal of the charge of making threats to bomb, said Deputy Prosecutor Rick Olson. After his arrest, he was sent to a psychologist to determine whether he was competent to assist in his defense against the charges. The court found him competent late last month.

Erwin, who was a student at the middle school, is accused of making threats to bomb the school and kill the students and staff on Sept. 11, according to court documents. He was 13 at the time.

Battle Ground police were called at about 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 to the middle school, 700 N.W. Ninth St., for a report of two threats submitted anonymously to a message board on the school’s website. The middle school and five other Battle Ground schools were closed Sept. 11 as a precaution.

Erwin had been out of detention on a court release agreement since his first appearance in court in September. In addition to his time in juvenile detention, he will be required to do 36 hours of community service and one year of probation.