Maynard Man Arraigned For Allegedly Threatening To Harm Students

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that a Maynard man has been arraigned on several charges in connection with allegedly threatening to harm students at Maynard High School.

Joseph Brooks, 19, of Maynard, was arraigned today before Concord District Court Judge Lynn Coffin Brendemuehl on charges of making a bomb threat, threatening to commit a crime, and disturbing a school. Judge Brendemuehl ordered the defendant’s bail to be set at $7500 cash and ordered that conditions include that Brooks not possess dangerous weapons or firearms, that Brooks stay off the property of Maynard High School, and that the defendant have no contact with any Maynard High School students, victims, or witnesses named in the police report. In addition, Judge Brendemuehlrevoked bail for ninety days for Brooks on a previous pending court case. In that previous case, an alleged assault, Brooks faces a charge of accessory before the fact.

The next court hearing for Brooks is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21.

“Threats reportedly made using social media are just as alarming as those made in person or verbally over a telephone,” said District Attorney Ryan. “We are grateful that in this particular situation, everyone acted immediately; individuals heard about an alleged threat, they notified school officials, and then police officers went looking for the suspect at his place of work and then at his home.”

Maynard Police Chief Mark Dubois added, “As soon as our department learned that the defendant had allegedly made a threat against students at the high school, police officers began their investigation and followed through in arresting the defendant. We appreciate the close partnership with school officials in helping us to act on this reported threat so quickly.”

Authorities say that on Wednesday, January 14, they received information that Brooks allegedly sent a phone text message to individuals last fall which included a threat that Brooks planned to “shoot up” Maynard High School and harm students reportedly at the end of the school year in 2015. Acting on that information yesterday, Maynard police officers arrested Brooks at his residence in Maynard.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Nils Lundblad. The Victim Witness Advocate is Tara Pugliese.