Bomb threats in Polk County lead to an arrest

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain received an anonymous phone call of a bomb threat. UARM staff contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and quickly evacuated the building.    

A few minutes later, Mena High School received a phone call stated that they had a bomb in the high school. Mena School Security teams quickly evacuated their campus. 

Both campuses were thoroughly searched. No devices were found on either campus and students were allowed to return to class. 

Shorty after the UARM and MHS campuses were reopened, Mena Middle School received a call stating they had a bomb in the gym. Mena Middle School was evacuated and searched. Again, no device was located and the students were allowed to return to class. 

The investigation quickly led to the arrest of April L. Scroggins, age 40, of Mena. Scroggins is currently incarcerated at the Polk County Detention Center. She is charged with 3 counts of 5-13-302 Threatening to Commit Act of Mass Violence on School Property. 

Sheriff Sawyer stated, “We take threats to our children and our schools seriously. Our College and MSD staff did an outstanding job today. The school security staff, SROs, Mena Police Department, Arkansas Game and Fish, and the Polk County Deputies did an incredible job of quickly evacuating our campuses and searching the buildings. They quickly identified a suspect and were able to make an arrest. I’m very proud of and truly appreciate all of them for their hard work and courage they displayed today. They all deserve kudos for a job well done”. 

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

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Ethan Nahté

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