HOLTON, Kan. – One of three teens charged with planning a Columbine-style attack against Royal Valley High School in Hoyt has been sentenced and two others have entered what may be drawn-out legal battles.
James R. Lopez, 16, of Mayetta, entered a plea March 15 and was found guilty of one charge of criminal use of explosives and criminal threat. Originally he was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated arson, two counts of criminal use of explosives, criminal threat and aggravated intimidation of a witness. Sentencing is scheduled April 12.
Jason L. Moss of Mayetta, 17, a student at the high school, is attempting to post bond. He appeared in Jackson Country District Court March 26 for what was supposed to have been a hearing on a state motion to certify him as an adult. His defense attorney, Don Hoffman, instead stated that Moss would be handled under “extended juvenile jurisdiction,” which means that he would be allowed to seek bond.
Richard B. Bradley Jr., 18, of Hoyt, was arrested and charged, then released on bond. Bradley asked to return to school, but was told that Topeka Unified School District Superintendent Robert McFrazier would not give him a second chance.
During a February press conference, McFrazier said, “The foremost thing in my mind is to make sure that the safety of our students is not compromised. This student will not be enrolled in USD 501.”
Members of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation were concerned their children were the targets of the three teens after white supremacist materials were found in the suspects’ homes.
Potawatomi Chairman Badger Wahwasuck said he and other tribal members were upset because Jackson County officials had not contacted them even though some of the suspects lived within the Potawatomi jurisdiction.
Wahwasuck and others wanted to know why federal officials were included in the investigation. A spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms had no comment on the investigation other than to say the bureau planned to allow Jackson County officials to handle the investigation.
Since the incident at Royal Valley High School, several other Kansas schools have had similar threats of violence against students and teachers, leaving school officials in previously uncharted territory as they try to institute new policies to safeguard both students and teachers.