High bonds set in alleged social media threat case

Published 12:01 am Sunday, April 5, 2015

CHESAPEAKE — Two Proctorville teens found out on Friday just how serious Lawrence County’s law enforcement and judicial system respond to potential threats.

John Pacinhik and Samuel Patrick, both 18, and both of 179 Township Road 1233, were arraigned Friday in Lawrence County Municipal Court in Chesapeake, on felony charges of inducing panic, a second-degree felony that carries a maximum of eight years in prison.

Bond was set at $500,000 cash or surety each, with GPS monitoring if either should post that bond and be released from the county jail.

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The two were arrested on Wednesday morning following a report from the Fairland School District that alleged “alarming material” had been posted through the social media site Instagram.

Search warrants were executed at homes on 179 Township Road 1233 (Orchard Drive) Proctorville and 121 Township Road 1105 (Demaria Street) at which time investigators collected storage and media devices, computers, cellular telephones, weapons, letters and notebooks, ammunition, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing and a number of items such as cellular telephones, computers, and storage devices will be taken to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification for further processing, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.

As a result of the search, Pacinhik was also charged with fourth-degree trafficking in drugs (marijuana).

The teens are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on April 10.

Patrick was appointed attorney Mike Davenport; attorney information for Pacinhik was not available.