Between 6 May 2021 and 11 May 2021, multiple Washington County Schools received calls from a subject reporting there was a bomb in the school.  During each of these threats, schools were locked down or evacuated and multiple law enforcement agencies with explosive canines responded to search each of the buildings.

Investigators identified the social media platform that this individual was utilizing.  Search warrants were obtained for that platform, which led investigators to Minersville, PA.  Warrants were executed at a residence in that jurisdiction.  Investigators learned that the person responsible for the threats had moved to Georgia. 

Nicholas John Frances Hall, 18, of 1385 Washington Road, Thomson, Georgia, has been identified as the subject responsible for the threats.   When approached by authorities, Hall admitted to placing the calls.

A warrant was obtained for the arrest of Nicholas John Frances Hall for the charges of Inducing Panic, a second-degree felony, due to the threats to schools, and Making Terroristic Threats, a third-degree felony.  Hall is currently in custody in McDuffie County, Georgia.

Records and leads indicate that Hall may be responsible for making a large number of bomb threats outside Washington County and outside the State of Ohio.

We would like to thank the following individuals/agencies:

Dispatchers from all agencies

School personnel who were affected by the threats

Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Detectives and the Major Crimes Task Force

Marietta Police Department

Ohio State Highway Patrol

Beverly Police Department

Lowell Police Department

Belpre Police Department

Morgan County Sheriff’s Office

Noble County Sheriff’s Office

Investigator Jerad McGilton, Ohio Dept of Corrections

Minersville Police Department, PA

McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office, GA

Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office

Federal Bureau of Investigations

Washington County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Largo, and handler Deputy Jason Hall

Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Panzer, and handler Deputy Josh Whiteman

Ohio University Police Department K-9 Alex, and handler Officer Tim Woodyard

Ohio University Police Department K-9 Brody, and handler Officer Mike Harlow

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Atry, and handler Deputy Jeremy Copas

Stark County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Judge, and handler Sgt. Mike Green