TRENTIN MCWILLIAMS

IRON MOUNTAIN — A Norway teen who admitted of posting images and messages on social media Nov. 4 that appeared to threaten his former school was sentenced Tuesday in Dickinson County Circuit Court to 33 days in jail already served.

Trentin McWilliams, 19, also will spend one year on probation and serve 240 hours of community service for felony attempted false report or threat of terrorism, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Defense attorney Abbey Anderson said McWilliams, who had no juvenile or criminal history, was remorseful for his conduct and understood what he perceived as a joke was terrifying for Norway-Vulcan School District students, parents and staff.

“Trentin — and there’s no other way to say this — made a stupid decision,” Anderson said. “He did it based on a dare. Did not consider the consequences of his actions.”

Anderson asked Dickinson County Circuit Judge Mary Barglind follow the recommendation in the pre-sentence investigation report for jail time served as well as sentence McWilliams under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would allow him to remove the conviction from his criminal record if he completes probation without violation.

Norway-Vulcan Superintendent Louis Steigerwald, speaking on behalf of the school board, acknowledged the chaos McWilliams created in the community but agreed with the recommendation.

“We can only pray at this point that (McWilliams) had no intent to carry forth the threat he made,” Steigerwald said.

Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Richards agreed McWilliams likely did not appreciate the gravity of his actions, though he should have, she said.

“We as a community — as a school community, as a law enforcement community — we must take threats like this very seriously,” Richards said. “We can’t afford not to.”

Richards also asked Barglind follow the recommendation.

McWilliams did not make a statement on his own behalf, though by answering questions posed by Barglind, he indicated he understood the serious nature of his actions and the fear it had instilled in others.

According to the criminal complaint, McWilliams admitted to officers with the Norway Police Department he posted photos and a video of himself with a handgun and ammunition to social media Nov. 4, along with threatening messages that were viewed by students, parents and school officials.

McWilliams initially had been charged with making a false report or threat of terrorism, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Richards agreed to reduce the charge in exchange for McWilliams’ no-contest plea Feb. 3.

Additionally, Richards recommended McWilliams be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would allow him to remove the conviction from his criminal record if he completes probation without violation.