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Jeremy Costa is being held on $100,000 bail for allegedly making threats against security guards at the Kamehameha Schools' Hawaii island campus.
HILO >> A former student who was expelled from the Hawaii island campus of Kamehameha Schools remains held on $100,000 bail for allegedly threatening the school’s security staff with references to the Virginia Tech shooting rampage.
Jeremy Acosta, 18, is accused of posting threats on Facebook such as “rent a cops must die.” He also said he could take Virginia Tech to the next level but doesn’t want to “hurt any of the fellow Hawaiians,” according to a police affidavit.
“I am hurting rent a cops tomorrow they are gonna needs guns to stop me even tanks missiles and an airborne assault im just bringing me and maybe a party of 3 including me,” he allegedly wrote.
The Kamehameha Schools were established in 1883 by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop as a nonprofit trust that educates Hawaiian children.
School security received tips about the Facebook posts and contacted police. Costa was arrested Tuesday.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports the 18-year-old Costa gestured with his middle finger during a court appearance Wednesday.
Costa’s father tells the newspaper the alleged incident was “blown out of proportion.”
Defense attorney Ivan Van Leer asked for bail to be reduced. Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Shiigi cited Costa’s danger to the community, and to himself, in arguing to maintain the bail amount.
Costa’s father, James, said the alleged incident was “blown out of proportion.” His son was in a car accident three years ago and banged his head, which he said could be a reason for the teen’s behavior.
Kamehameha Schools spokesman Kekoa Paulsen said Costa was expelled in August for reasons he would not reveal. Costa’s father said it was because of smoking marijuana off campus.
Paulsen said Costa trespassed on campus Monday and shoved a security officer when he was asked to leave.
