Teen Nathan Agneta says he’s ‘not guilty’ of bomb threat
GUILDERLAND — Nathan Agneta was arraigned in Guilderland Town Court on Dec. 1 on felony computer trespass charges. Police say that he is one of two Guilderland High School students who were responsible for two bomb threats emailed to high school administrators, disrupting the school days on Tuesday, Dec. 22, and Tuesday, Dec. 29. Although his plea was not discussed in court, Clerk Jennifer Stephens said that he has entered a plea of not guilty.
The case of the other student, who is 15, is being pursued in Family Court. Because he is considered a juvenile under state law, his name is being withheld and the Family Court records on his case will be sealed. Agneta, at 16, is considered an adult under state law.
Judge John Bailey asked Assistant District Attorney Collin D’Arcy for his position on bail, and D’Arcy said that, since Agneta had appeared in court, accompanied by both of his parents, the Albany County District Attorney’s Office had no problem with releasing him to the custody of the probation department.
The judge then told Agneta that he must check in with the probation department, and that it would supervise him, “pending the ultimate outcome of this case.”
Bailey also said that he was going to issue an order of protection related to the case, but that he was not going to announce the name of the person being protected, because that person was an “infant,” that is, under the age of 16.
Agneta was represented by Paul E. DeLorenzo with the DeLorenzo Law Firm in Schenectady.
Bailey also looked directly at Agneta and reminded him that, through all of these proceedings, he is presumed to be innocent, and asked him if he understood. Agneta nodded yes.
The case was adjourned to Dec. 22.
Superintendent Marie Wiles said on Dec. 2 that she could not comment about whether the two students were currently attending school. She did, though, confirm that the school’s disciplinary process — separate from any court proceeding — is underway.