A mother from Michigan has been sentenced after she confessed to phoning in fake bomb threats to her daughter's secondary school, an act of retaliation triggered when her child was prevented from taking part in a school play.
Guilty plea for felony false report
Crystal Royster, 43, pleaded guilty to a single felony charge of making a false report or bomb threat on 8th January. The charges stemmed from two separate telephone calls she made to Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, on 12th March 2025. During these calls, she suggested that explosive devices might be present on the school premises.
The catalyst for the criminal act was a school policy that required pupils to be in attendance during the day to participate in after-school activities. Royster's daughter had been sent home unwell on that very day, which consequently barred her from performing in the play.
Significant emergency response and community panic
The threats provoked immediate alarm and a major operational response. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido stated the incident caused panic and necessitated a 'significant emergency response.' More than 700 students and staff were compelled to evacuate the Macomb County high school, situated in the Detroit suburbs.
Law enforcement from St. Clair Shores Police Department swiftly arrived to conduct a thorough sweep of the campus. Officials later confirmed that no explosives were found anywhere on the school property.
In a communication to families at the time, Lake Shore High School explained the threats occurred during an elementary school performance. The message assured parents that the building was evacuated safely with police assistance and vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Court sentencing and imposed conditions
Royster ultimately reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, formally entering her guilty plea on 13th November. The court sentenced her to serve two weeks in the Macomb County Jail, followed by a period of 18 months under probation supervision.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the judge imposed several strict conditions. Royster is forbidden from having any contact with the victims of her crime and must notify the school in advance if she needs to enter its grounds. She has also been mandated to complete a Class A impulse control course. The court credited her for three days already served in custody.
While acknowledging probation was the appropriate outcome, Prosecutor Lucido emphasised that her actions caused considerable disruption and concern within the local community. Making a bomb hoax is a serious offence under US law, carrying potential maximum penalties of a $5,000 fine or up to five years imprisonment for those who convey false information with reckless disregard for safety.
