ASH student accused of threats involving school prom

An Alexandria Senior High student is facing three charges, including terrorizing, following investigation of threats made on social media about a potential incident at the school prom.

Adrian Devon Ray, 17, of 1208 Horseshoe Drive in Alexandria, was arrested by Rapides Parish sheriff’s detectives and charged with one count each of terrorizing, stalking and obstruction of justice, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

The arrest stemmed from an investigation launched after the school resource officer, who is a sheriff’s deputy, learned that some threats had been made through various social media.

The information sparked the investigation by detectives on Saturday. The school’s prom was Saturday night at Alexandria Country Club.

“Some of the threats had led school officials to believe that some type of incident may take place at the ASH prom.  Additional deputies were deployed to the prom as detectives began their investigation,” a news release said.

Detectives were able to trace a user of a fake Internet social media profile, and they identified Ray as a possible suspect. They went to Ray’s residence and were able to obtain evidence to warrant an arrest, authorities said.

Ray was taken into custody and transported to the Rapides Parish Detention Center where he was booked on the three charges. He is currently being held, with bond set at $21,000.

Although the investigation into the threats is ongoing, authorities don’t believe anyone else was involved.

“We take any cyber threat seriously, especially those made against our children,” Sheriff William Earl Hilton said.

“The days of idle or angry talk not being taken seriously are over. This is serious, and we will investigate it accordingly,” Hilton said while praising the school resource officer and detectives for their actions in the case.