Teen pleads not guilty in Stevenson threat case

A teenager who police say posted a threat against Stevenson High School on a comic book Web site pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County circuit court.

Jeremie Dalin, 17, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of falsely making a terrorist threat.

Assistant State's Attorney Rod Drobinski said Dalin, of 209 Bridle Path, Fox River Grove, posted a message Oct. 30 on a Web site devoted to Japanese animation and comic books.

The message said "Many will die on 10/31 at Stevenson High School" and specified harm against athletes and blacks, police said.

Two people notified the FBI about the message and it was determined the Lincolnshire school is one of four Stevenson high schools in the country.

Within hours of the reports, the FBI traced the message to a computer in Dalin's home, although police said Dalin had removed the message himself after considering the ramifications.

Police said Dalin posted the message as a hoax and did not realize there was a Stevenson High School in the area.

The school was open Oct. 31, but more than 500 students missed classes as a result of the threat.

Federal authorities declined to prosecute the Barrington High School senior because he is considered a juvenile under federal law, but the Lake County state's attorney's office charged him.

Associate Judge Joseph Waldeck scheduled a trial of the case for March 31. Waldeck told Dalin, who was released after posting $10,000 for bond, to appear in court Feb. 15.

A second person charged in connection with the posting, Dennis Oh, 17, of 1245 Deerfield Parkway, Buffalo Grove, is due to appear Jan. 10 for arraignment.

Oh, who was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice, was interviewed by police about the message. He disobeyed their order not to discuss it with anyone, police said.