- for THE PAPER
A Drexel man was arrested Tuesday and charged with communicating a threat against a local school.
Brandon Dean Johnson, 40, of 609 S. Main St., was officially charged with communicating a threat of mass violence on education property.
The Drexel Police Department seized firearms, cartridge magazines, ammunition, a ballistic vest, and other items on the property, according to information provided by the police.
The residence at 609 S. Main St. is just down the street from Hallyburton Academy and also only a short distance from Drexel Elementary School.
Officers said the arrest and discovery of the seized materials followed a lengthy investigation by the department, assisted by the N.C. Bureau of Investigation. The Burke County Public Schools administration was also involved in the investigation.
Also participating were the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the Morganton Department of Public Safety.
Johnson was initially taken to the Burke County Magistrates’ Office. His secured bond was later set in Burke County District Court at $200,000.
Burke County Public Schools also issued a press release about the arrest, but it included no additional information.
The school system did pledge to continue to provide updates to parents as new information becomes available.
This is a developing story.
