Juvenile arrested for threats to a Santa Maria high school

A juvenile has been arrested for making threats to a Santa Maria high school on social media.

The Santa Maria Police Department was made aware of the social media threats to Pioneer Valley High School on Sunday, September 23.

Officers learned that a juvenile male from Santa Maria made the online-threats about two weeks ago.

Police made contact with the juvenile who admitted to posting the threats. Police arrested the juvenile and charged him with criminal threats and booked him into the Santa Barbara County Juvenile Jail.

Police say the threats to student safety were determined to be unsubstantiated and that there is no threat to student safety at this time.

Santa Maria Police officers worked closely with school resource officers and both high school administrations to ensure all procedures were followed.

Due to the suspect’s age, the name or other identifying information will not be released.

It is unclear at this time if Pioneer Valley High School will be open on Monday or if there will be an increase in security.