BATTLE CREEK (WKZO-AM) — Two 16-year-olds accused of making online threats that forced a closure of Marshall High School on Thursday have made their first court appearance.
Marcus Ortwine of Albion and Glenn Deuster of Fredonia Township were charged in juvenile court Thursday with making a false report or threat of terrorism and using the Internet to commit terrorism. Prosecutors say they posted images of themselves on Instagram holding assault rifles under captions that said they were going to make school “fun” or “interesting.”
Both were arrested after the threats were published Wednesday night.
After the arrests, police seized 34 guns from both homes — 20 from Deuster’s and 14 from Ortwine’s. Calhoun County Sheriff Matt Saxton told the Battle Creek Enquirer both children were from hunting families.
Computers and cell phones were also seized. Investigators will review the devices to see if both boys were trying to coordinate an attack on the school.
Prosecutors are seeking to try both teenagers as adults. If convicted, Ortwine and Deuster could face up to 20 years in prison.
Ortwine and Deuster appeared in court through a video hook-up from the Calhoun County Juvenile Home, where they’re being held.
Bail for both boys was set at $7,500. They’ll appear in court again April 14.
