Bomb threat to Cary-Grove High lands teen jail sentence

A high school prank gone too far landed a 19-year-old Fox River Grove man a six-month jail sentence Monday under a plea deal in which he also agreed to testify against his accused accomplice.

Lucas F. Medansky, of the 500 block of Lincoln Avenue, admitted guilt to a felony conspiracy charge stemming from an Oct. 1, 2008 bomb threat that forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 students and faculty from Cary-Grove High School.

Along with the jail term, Medansky was placed on probation for two years, fined $500 and ordered to undergo six random drug tests. He may also be required to pay restitution to Cary-Grove or police and fire officials who responded to the threat, said Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.

"It's important to make sure kids understand these threats aren't going to be taken lightly, especially when you disrupt and entire school day," Kenneally said.

Medansky attorney, Senior Assistant Public Defender Christopher Harmon, declined to comment.

Medansky was one of three teens arrested after bomb threats against the high school were phoned into Cary police and Crystal Lake High School District 155 the morning of Oct. 1, 2008. The threats led school officials to evacuate the building and cancel classes for the day while bomb-sniffing dogs searched the facility.

The plea bargain requires that Medansky give truthful testimony, if called, against co-defendant Tyler J. Becker, 19, of Cary, who is set to appear in court Thursday on charges of conspiracy and disorderly conduct. The third person charged in the case was a juvenile.

Court records indicate that Medansky drove the juvenile to a pay phone to make the threatening calls.

As part of his deal, county prosecutors dismissed a disorderly conduct charge filed in connection with the bomb threat, along with unrelated charges of attempted forgery, theft of services and possession of cannabis.