April 10, 2023
By News Director Jared Atha
The Sayre man accused of sending a threatening email to the superintendent of the Sweetwater School District was formally charged in Beckham County District Court recently.
Court records show that 53-year-old Michael Scott Howell received one felony count of “act of terrorism” on April 4. If convicted, the defendant could be sentenced to serve life in prison.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Howell became upset that a child of his who attends Sweetwater schools had been suspended. The defendant allegedly sent an email on March 28 to the superintendent with a link to a news article referencing the recent school shooting that took place in Nashville, Tennessee.
The school’s resource officer was made aware of the email, who then notified the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office.
Howell was located in his vehicle at his home where he was arrested without incident.
Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning said there were no weapons in the vehicle when the individual was stopped.
Bond for Howell was initially set at $50,000.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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