The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) has made an arrest following an investigation into a bomb threat made towards Buddy Taylor Middle School (BTMS) on Friday, May 17.
At approximately 10:47 a.m., a front desk attendant at BTMS received a phone call from a male stating that, “the school will be blown up at 11.” A school lockdown was initiated at 10:48 a.m. and 19 FCSO deputies responded. Following a sweep of the building, including the use of FCSO’s Explosives Detection K-9, the school was cleared to resume normal activities at 11:42 a.m.
Through investigative means and working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, detectives from FCSO’s Criminal Intelligence Unit and FCSO’s Homeland Security Section—including FCSO’s Real Time Crime Center—discovered the phone call originated in Daytona Beach and the caller was 13-year-old Jaureion Smith.
With the assistance of the Daytona Beach Police Department’s Violent Crime Apprehension Team and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Suppression Team, Smith was located walking on Derbyshire Road in Daytona Beach. The phone that was used to make the phone call was discovered in his possession. Smith had attempted to delete evidence from the phone.
Smith does not attend BTMS, but told detectives that a friend who attends the school dared him to call a bomb threat into the school. The investigation is continuing on the BTMS student. FCSO encourages this student to tell their parents what they did and turn themselves in.
Smith was arrested for False Report Concerning a Bomb, Tampering with Evidence, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device. Daytona Beach Police took Smith to the Volusia County Juvenile Assessment Center for processing.
The arrest comes during a week in which a series of threatening calls were made to BTMS and other schools in Flagler County between May 14 and May 17, prompting multiple responses from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the Bunnell Police Department. However, Smith is only believed to have placed the call on May 17 in what can be described as a “copycat” of the earlier calls.
The FCSO Homeland Security Section is still investigating the other calls. Those with information are asked to call the FCSO non-emergency line at 386-313-4911, call CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS (3477), or email TIPS@flaglersheriff.com, or submit a tip through the FCSO website or app.
“We believe the incident today was a copycat threat. We continue to use all resources at our disposal and continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners as we investigate the other calls,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Parents: I ask you to be the Sheriff in your home and to your kids. Talk to your kids about the seriousness of making these threats. We take every threat seriously and when we come knocking on your door it is too late and we will arrest your child if they make a threat.”
