A man arrested after allegedly calling in a phone threat targeting a local elementary school pleaded not guilty Monday, denying allegations that he falsely reported the shooting.
Alex Paul Rodriguez, 61, of Oceanside was arrested just six days after the deadly massacre in Newtown after officials said he left a threatening message for staff at Laurel Elementary School.
The message, left at 4:15 a.m. Thursday, said there would be a shooting at the school later that morning according to police. Officers claim the phone ended with "maniacal laughter."
As a result, the school was placed on lockdown and increased police presence was on the school campus.
Investigators say they traced the call to Rodriguez' cell phone and arrested him at his College Boulevard home. No firearms were found at the suspect's home.
In court on Monday, Rodriguez appeared in a wheelchair and denied the allegations brought against him.