Rockdale ISD teacher facing felony charges, accused of making threat against principals

MILAM COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Rockdale Independent School District teacher is facing felony charges after he allegedly made threats against school principals last week, according to court documents and the Milam County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said in a news release Friday it was investigating threats made on a school webpage associated with Rockdale High School and that a teacher had been arrested in connection with the threat.

MCSO started investigating Thursday night after a threat was made by an anonymous user, according to the release.

The teacher was identified in an arrest affidavit as Michael Smith, 40, who was listed on Rockdale High School's staff directory as a math teacher as of Monday.

There is no attorney information yet for Smith, but KXAN will reach out for commentary on the charges when attorney contact information becomes available, and this story will be updated. KXAN reached out to Rockdale ISD for additional details.

According to the affidavit, the message stated, "I've got a gun in my bag and I'm going to shoot the principals."

The affidavit said investigators traced the IP address that was used to make the threat and linked it to Smith.

Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said the FBI and Secret Service helped in tracking down the IP address used to make the threat, and warrants were obtained related to the IP address.

The affidavit and the release from the sheriff's office said investigators interviewed Smith on campus, and he admitted to sending the threatening message.

Smith was arrested and charged with Terroristic Threat, a third-degree felony, and Making a False Report, which is a state jail felony, according to court documents.

The sheriff's office said Rockdale ISD is cooperating with the investigation.