Judge rejects initial bond request in ‘hoax device’ threat at WCHS

The 18-year-old suspect in the fake explosive devise evacuation of Warren County High School on Friday, January 27, was denied bond Tuesday morning.

However, Warren County General District Court Judge W. Dale Houff said his initial rejection of Caleb Sutphin’s bond request did not indicate a final decision in the matter.  The judge suggested Sutphin re-apply with the help of his court-appointed attorney.  During the brief, 5-minute hearing Houff appointed Winchester-based Matthew Beyrau to represent the Front Royal youth.

On Tuesday, 18-year Caleb Sutphin was in adult court following a bomb hoax he is charged with initiating four days earlier at WCHS. He was initially denied bond but encouraged to reapply once he has met with his court-appointed attorney.

A preliminary hearing date of March 1^st at 2 PM has been set.  However, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Layton said Sutphin could re-apply for bond prior to that hearing.  It was noted during the hearing that Sutphin has no previous criminal record.

Sutphin has been held without bond at RSW Regional Jail after being charged the afternoon of the incident.  Warren County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, School Resource Deputies and the County Fire Marshal all questioned Sutphin before he was charged with a Class 6 felony.

Photo/Roger Bianchini

The Front Royal high school was evacuated at 12:09 p.m. on Friday when a “suspicious package” was found after a fire alarm was set off at the school.  Investigators completed processing the scene and released the facility back to school officials at 3:23 p.m.

The County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the help of State Police Explosive Technicians in determining that package to be “a non-functional hoax device”.