A Bowling Green man who attempted to make a terrorist threat to a local school has been sentenced to community control.
David Barbosa, 19, appeared Thursday in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman.
He was indicted in June for making terroristic threats, a third-degree felony; inducing panic, a second-degree felony; and aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor.
He pleaded guilty in November to the amended counts of attempted tampering with evidence and attempted making terrorists threats.
Both are fourth-degree felonies.
The charge of aggravated menacing was dismissed.
The facts of the case were not shared in court; however, court documents state that in March, Barbosa caused the evacuation of a school or caused serious inconvenience or alarm by initiating a report of an impending fire, explosion or other catastrophe while knowing the report was false.
The offense happened at Penta Career Center, according to previous statements made by Wood County Prosecutor Paul Dobson.
Barbosa, who lived in Maumee at the time, threatened through intimidation a civilian population and as a result of that threat, he caused a reasonable expectation of the offense.
Between March 10 and March 23, Barbosa caused the evacuation of a public place or caused serious inconvenience or alarm by initiating a report of an impending fire, explosion or other catastrophe while knowing the report was false.
Defense attorney Christopher Lawrence said mental health issues led to his client’s actions.
He said that in December 2022, Barbosa stopped taking his medication and stopped mental health counseling. He thought he could handle his issues on his own, “which was not a good decision,” Lawrence said.
He has since reengaged in counseling, graduated high school and is enrolled at Bowling Green State University, Lawrence said.
Wood County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Gross said she spoke to several administrators at Penta and friends of Barbosa who sat at his lunch table.
“Everyone is in agreement with this plea,” she said.
Kuhlman imposed a sentence of three years on community control.
Barbosa must have no contact with Penta.
