Current:Home > MyNebraska man accepts plea deal in case of an active shooter drill that prosecutors say went too far-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Nebraska man accepts plea deal in case of an active shooter drill that prosecutors say went too far
View Date:2024-12-23 19:46:55
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man has pleaded no contest to four counts of making a terroristic threat during a 2022 active shooter drill that prosecutors say went too far.
Omaha resident John Channels, 29, made the plea Tuesday as part of a deal with prosecutors, the Omaha World-Herald reported. As part of the deal, prosecutors dismissed one count of use of a firearm to commit a felony.
Police have said Channels showed up at Omaha Catholic Charities wearing a black hoodie and a mask and fired blanks from a semiautomatic handgun. Authorities said he staged “victims” covered in fake blood who appeared to have been wounded or killed.
The charity hired Channel, who owned a security company and claimed to be a “civilian police officer,” to test its workers’ preparedness for such an attack. According to a police arrest affidavit, Channels told those at Omaha Catholic Charities who hired him that he had conducted other active shooter drills and that law enforcement officers would be present during the drill.
But police and employees were not warned in advance. The mock shooting sent employees running for their lives, and officers responded to panicked calls for help with guns drawn.
Douglas County prosecutor Don Kleine previously said the drill could have had dire consequences — such as an employee suffering a heart attack or Channels himself being shot by someone else or an officer.
One worker sued the charity, claiming she hurt her back while fleeing and also has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. A judge dismissed her lawsuit last year, ruling that the case should be handled in Workers’ Compensation Court.
In an unrelated case, Channels also pleaded no contest on Wednesday to first-degree sexual assault, first-degree sexual assault of a child, and possession of child sexual abuse materials. As part of that plea deal, prosecutors dropped another 22 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials and sexual assault.
He will be sentenced Oct. 25 to between 21 years and life in prison.
veryGood! (62868)
Related
- Why Outer Banks Fans Think Costars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Used Stunt Doubles Amid Rumored Rift
- Robert Saleh was reportedly 'blindsided' by being fired as Jets head coach
- These October Prime Day Deals 2024 Have Prices Better Than Black Friday & Are up to 90% Off
- Allyson Felix launches women-focused sports management firm
- 13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
- Robert Saleh was reportedly 'blindsided' by being fired as Jets head coach
- These October Prime Day Deals 2024 Have Prices Better Than Black Friday & Are up to 90% Off
- The AP has called winners in elections for more than 170 years. Here’s how it’s done
- Could trad wives, influencers have sparked the red wave among female voters?
- What makes a storm a hurricane? The dangers across 5 categories
Ranking
- 3 Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib win $42M judgement against defense contractor
- Who is Jeff Ulbrich? New York Jets name DC interim head coach
- Milton’s storm surge is a threat that could be devastating far beyond the Tampa Bay region
- Supreme Court rejects R. Kelly's child sexual abuse appeal, 20-year sentence stands
- Elena Rose has made hits for JLo, Becky G and more. Now she's stepping into the spotlight.
- Supreme Court rejects R. Kelly's child sexual abuse appeal, 20-year sentence stands
- Not all elections look the same. Here are some of the different ways states run their voting
- Texas is a young state with older elected officials. Some young leaders are trying to change that.
Recommendation
-
Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
-
Not everything will run perfectly on Election Day. Still, US elections are remarkably reliable
-
Dream Builder Wealth Society: A Blueprint for Future Wealth
-
Opinion: Karma is destroying quarterback Deshaun Watson and Cleveland Browns
-
Michael Jordan and driver Tyler Reddick come up short in bid for NASCAR championship
-
These Amazon Prime Day Sweaters Are Cute, Fall-Ready & Start at $19
-
LA County voters face huge decision on homeless services funding
-
How a poll can represent your opinion even if you weren’t contacted for it