NMCC Student Charged With Making Bomb Threats

PRESQUE ISLE (NEWS CENTER) -- Presque Isle Police have charged Chad Leighton, 29, of Caswell, with two counts of felony terrorizing after they say he called in two bomb threats to Northern Maine Community College.

Police say Leighton, who us a student at NMCC, called the school on October 2 and October 19 and said there was a bomb in the Christie building. Officials evacuated the campus in both cases, and the school closed for the day both times. Police did not find any explosive devices on the campus either time.

Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge said the department will not discuss how they came to the conclusion that it was Leighton who placed the calls, saying it may hinder future investigations. But Selfridge said it was a case of finding the common denominators.

Leighton is expected in Caribou Superior Court on December 18 to face the charges. Selfridge said restitution for the response and the loss of two school days may be requested. He said that could equal tens of thousands of dollars.

"The feeling of danger in this kind of crime is more far reaching than the students and staff there," wrote Selfridge in a statement. "Parents of students from downstate called PIPD inquiring about the safety of their children. They, too, will be relieved that this threat of violence dangerous to human life was a hoax."