A 21-year-old man who allegedly threatened violence at a high school he once attended in West Covina pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony charges.
Dereck Pena of West Covina — 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.
According to West Covina police, Pena allegedly sent his ex-girlfriend a video threatening her and other students. Officers investigated, deemed the threat credible and a search for the suspect was launched, according to e 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 alleged.
Pena was arrested last Thursday at his home and has remained behind bars since then. He is due back in a Pomona courtroom Dec. 4 for a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial on two counts of making criminal threats.
If convicted as charged, Pena could face up to three years and eight months in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.