Nicholas L. Rochow

BAY CITY, MI -- Rather than risk a jury's verdict, a Bay County teen accused of threatening to open fire on his high school has accepted a plea offer.

He has the opportunity, however, to avoid having a felony on his record.

Nicholas L. Rochow, 18, on Thursday, July 13, appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran and pleaded guilty to false report or threat of terrorism. The 20-year felony was the only charge he faced. As a condition of his plea, the prosecution recommended Rochow receive Holmes Youthful Trainee Act status.

The act allows a judge to place a defendant between the ages of 17 and 24 in jail or on probation without a conviction. If the defendant successfully completes the terms of the judge's sentence, he or she avoids having a criminal record.

The judge asked Rochow what led him to believe he was guilty of the charged offense.

"I threatened to bring a loaded firearm into Bay City Central High School and hurt innocent people," said Rochow, adding he sent the threats to three people via Facebook Messenger.

"Why did you make that threat?" Sheeran asked

"I was angry and upset at people and I just wanted to show them that what they're doing is not civil and it's not fair," Rochow said.

"What were they doing?"

"They were bullying a girl I had a crush on."

"What do you mean 'bullying?'" the judge pressed.

"Telling her to kill herself and saying, like, 'Oh, shut your legs' and other hurtful stuff," Rochow said.

Sheeran allowed Rochow to remain free on bond pending sentencing at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Case background

According to police reports obtained by The Bay City Times-MLive from the Bay City Department of Public Safety via a Freedom of Information Act request, the charge originates from Bay City Central High School Assistant Principal Andrew Kowalczyk on Sept. 15 contacting a school resource officer regarding Rochow making threats.

When Kowalczyk approached an officer, he already had Rochow sitting outside his office. The assistant principal told the officer at least three people, two of them students, received disconcerting text messages from Rochow. A concerned parent had sent Kowalczyk a screenshot of one such message and Kowalczyk then brought Rochow into his office as soon as he arrived that morning, he said.

"I spoke with Nick and asked him about the message," Kowalczyk told the officer. "He told me he was fed up that people were mad at him because he's been saying stuff to a girl. He said he sent this message because he was upset."

Kowalcyzk searched Rochow's book bag and found no guns. He contacted the student's father, who said there were no guns at their home.

The officer spoke with Rochow, who apologized for sending the message.

"I was angry and I have anger issues," Rochow told the officer, according to the reports. "When I get angry, I just say what I'm thinking. I knew I was going to get in trouble. I can promise you I'd never bring in a gun or hurt anybody."

Rochow went on to say he sent the messages only to his friends.

After the interview, Rochow was turned over to his father.

The messages, photographs of which are contained in police reports, feature Rochow texting a friend at 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, that he's "done with people" and that he's "going to give people 1 chance." His friend responds with texts trying to calm him down.

"I'm at the point where I want to bring a loaded firearm into school and hurt people," one message reads.

"A lot of people are going to lose a lot of things there (sic) lives their families the hope," Rochow responds.

"Please don't Nick I beg you."

"Then you better be warning people at school cause I'm done."

His friend goes on to say he'll warn people, but urges Rochow not to do anything irrational. Rochow then says he will if he has to.

In another series of texts allegedly sent by Rochow to different person, he states he's "close FROM (sic) bringing a loaded firearm into school if people don't understand I will hurt and injure innocent people I'm done STG (swear to God)."

He goes on to say he's "not killing myself just innocent people." The friend tells him he'll probably be killed, to which Rochow replies with "wanna bet" and a devil emoji. He then texts that he's going to buy an AR rifle and a pistol.

The friend asks when Rochow plans to perpetuate the act, but Rochow tells him it's classified, but adds if his friend brings him peanut butter, only three people will die.