VIRGINIA BEACH — A man was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for sending a threatening email to a Virginia Beach Catholic school following media reports about a controversial student punishment issued by the school.
Bobby Dale Francisco II, 31, pleaded guilty in May to a felony charge of threatening bodily harm in writing. While the crime carries a maximum punishment of five years, state sentencing guidelines had suggested Francisco get probation, according to a spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Circuit Judge Sal Iaquinto also ordered Francisco to comply with any mental health counseling and medication recommended by his treatment provider, the spokeswoman said.
St. John the Apostle Catholic School received the threat in September, shortly after multiple media reports about the school’s decision to suspend a student for failing to immediately report that a classmate had brought a bullet to school.
The student told officials he waited until later that day, when the other student wasn’t around, before reporting it to the principal. The boy who brought the bullet received the same punishment.
Francisco emailed the school through the “contact us” form on its website. The message included his name, address and phone number. The school canceled classes for two days afterwards, and hired a security firm.
When contacted by police, Francisco said he never intended to harm anyone and was merely venting his frustration over the punishment issued to the student.
The mother of the 11-year-old boy who was suspended sued the school afterwards. In April, Virginia Beach District Judge Vivian Henderson ruled in her favor, calling it “appalling” for the school to punish the boy for “trying to do the right thing.”
Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
