Former Kennett student accused of terror threats arrested in Cape

KENNETT, Mo. -- A former Kennett High School student who recently moved to Cape Girardeau is charged with making terroristic threats over social media, according to detective John Higgens of the Kennett Police Department.

Deonte Stracener, 17, was arrested in Cape Girardeau and taken to the Dunklin County Justice Center, where he was charged with a felony count of making a terroristic threat. A warrant was issued with a cash-only bond of $100,000.

Until two weeks ago, Stracener was a student at Kennett High School. He was suspended from school, and he moved to Cape Girardeau.

Kennett School District superintendent Chris Wilson said in a news release about 9 p.m. Thursday, Kennett High School administration was notified of a threat via social media being made toward Kennett High School students. He also allegedly posted a picture of a gun.

With the assistance of school administrators, Kennett police, Dunklin County sheriff's deputies, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Cape Girardeau police, the suspect was found and taken into custody about 12:30 a.m. Friday in Cape Girardeau.

"On behalf of Kennett School District, I want to sincerely thank all individuals and agencies involved in this matter who worked diligently to ensure the safety of all Kennett High School students and staff," Wilson stated.

According to Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, a parent who had seen pictures on social media mistakenly thought the alleged threats were intended for the Campbell School District in Campbell, Missouri. That parent placed a call to the Campbell School District about 7 a.m. Thursday.

According to Campbell School District superintendent Jay Thornton, the district received the call at 7 a.m. The district immediately began emergency procedures and locked down the school. After an investigation, the school ended the lockdown.

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Kennett, Mo.

Campbell, Mo.