Teen arrested for clown threat at East Bladen High School

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office arrested a teen for a clown threat at East Bladen High School.

Sheriff James McVicker said Cevon Ferris Jones, 16, of 10898 South College Street, Clarkton, was arrested today. Jones was charged with making a false report of mass violence on educational property, a class H felony carrying a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.

“This young man created a false Facebook profile that showed photographs of clowns and threatening violence at East Bladen High School,” McVicker said. “He had placed symbols of a bomb and a gun and worded his post to lead others to believe there would be an attack at the high school.”

McVicker said his office got the report on Wednesday morning and immediately began an investigation.

“Lt. Morgan Johnson led the investigation, and we were able to track down Jones through various means within six hours of getting the report,” McVicker said. “We believe Jones was acting alone and he did not commit any overt acts to carry out the threat.”

McVicker said he does not think the case is related to similar cases in Columbus County.

“We were in contact with the schools and kept Dr. Taylor, the superintendent of schools aware of our investigation,” McVicker said. “We received the full cooperation of the schools involved and the administration. At no time were students or faculty ever in danger.”

McVicker also said that Jones was a student at West Bladen High School, but he made his false threats aimed at East Bladen High School.

Jones was booked into the Bladen County Jail under a $500 bond awaiting a first appearance later today.