Terrorism charge after texted threats

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A 17-year-old who allegedly threatened to sexually assault a female teen and kill several other students now faces a felony terrorism charge.

Benjamin Malachino, a Comstock Park High School 11th-grader, allegedly texted the threats to a female student and another student on March 4, according to the Kent County Sheriff's Department. She reported the texts to school officials.

Authorities say Malachino threatened to sexually assault the female teen, as well as lock down Comstock Park High School and kill several students. The texts included a partial list of potential victims.

Three male students who are friends of the girl were specified by name -- two from Comstock Park and one from Kenowa Hills High School. Authorities notified the families of the named students and the schools.

Malachino was arraigned Monday on one count of threats of terrorism, a 20-year-felony. He was lodged in the Kent County jail on $500,000 bond. Malachino's lawyer is expected to appeal that bond Wednesday.

His family declined to comment.

The mother of the female who received the texted threat said her daughter and the suspect met through band and he had indicated he wanted a relationship.

"We are glad he's in custody, and we hope he gets the help he needs. We're taking it one day at a time," said the mother.

"I was surprised. He seemed like a pretty mellow kid," said Derek VanDyke, a Comstock Park senior, who knows Malachino through band.

He thought his bandmate missed the last week of school because he was sick.

"I found out about it through a letter that the school sent out. And I found out who it was through word of mouth, and the story on the news," he said.