BELLEFONTE – A man who made threats against State College Area High School on April 11 was sentenced to time served and five years probation in Centre County Court on Monday, Sept. 22.
Braeden A. Phillips, 20, of Milroy, Mifflin County had been incarcerated in Centre County Correctional Facility since his arrest after witnesses claimed he had spoken of carrying out a mass attack involving firearms and explosives at the high school on April 21, one day after the 26th anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado.
District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said the investigation did not find any evidence Phillips was preparing to follow through on the threat.
Phillips entered a guilty plea on Aug. 26 to one felony of the third degree of terroristic threats. Charges of conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful possession of a firearm were dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Centre County Judge Brian Marshall approved the plea agreement, which includes five years of probation with intensive supervision. Phillips will not be permitted to possess weapons or reside where they are present, be within 100 feet of a school or have contact with any witnesses. He will also be required to undergo mental health evaluation and treatment.
State College Area School District Nabil K. Marks issued a statement on Tuesday regarding Phillips’ sentencing.
