KINGMAN – The man convicted of a bomb threat hoax at Kingman Middle School is going to the Arizona Department of Corrections for 6.5 years. Judge Doug Camacho sentenced Manuel Molines, 40, on Wednesday, Aug. 25.

Molines pleaded guilty to making a terrorist threat. No one was injured when bomb threat phone calls at approximately 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. resulted in the evacuation of the school on Feb. 1.

Defense Attorney Jaimye Ashley told the court that Molines had nothing to gain by his involvement and that he placed the call so that co-defendant April Horner, 38, would not have to show up for work at the school after gambling and partying in Laughlin the night before.

Ashley said that Molines suffers from a maturity deficit because his “drug fried brain” leads to poor decisions.

“He’s been in and out of prison much of his life which has made it difficult for him to mature as an adult,” Ashley said. “He’s the world’s worst criminal at hiding because he always gets caught.”

Ashley argued in favor of leniency, contending Molines never intended to harm anyone or instill fear among staff, students, and parents. Molines apologized, indicating he is interested in serving his time and getting back to his family as quickly as possible.

Horner was the focus of a status hearing held Monday. Attorneys said they are still involved in plea agreement negotiations for the librarian who was fired by the school district shortly after the bomb hoax.

Horner expresses innocence and blames Molines in a lengthy handwritten letter dated just 3 days after the hoax that is part of the Court record.
“I had no connections to his actions to do this,” Horner wrote. “I do not know the reason why Manuel would choose to call the school.”

Horner is charged with making a terrorist threat and interference or disruption of an educational facility. Her next hearing is scheduled Sept. 20.

Dave Hawkins