Felony charges were filed Tuesday against a 21-year-old man who allegedly threatened violence at a high school he once attended in West Covina.
Dereck Pena of West Covina was set to appear in a Pomona courtroom Tuesday in connection with a case charging him with two counts of criminal threats, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Pena — a former student at South Hills High School — allegedly communicated threats of violence against the school to an ex-girlfriend, according to Deputy District Attorney Eric Neff.
Officers investigated, deemed the threat credible and a search for the suspect was launched, according to West Covina Police Dept. Sgt. Tim Rogers.
“A search warrant was obtained for the suspect’s residence, which revealed replica assault rifles, replica handguns, replica body armor and two real machetes,” Rogers said.
Pena was arrested Thursday at his home, according to police. He has remained behind bars since then, jail records show.
If convicted as charged, Pena could face up to three years and eight months in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.