AST investigates social media ‘threats’ by high school students

Over the weekend of Nov. 17, Alaska State Troopers (AST) received a report of a social media post that contained content related to harassment and sexual conduct.

“It’s a list that has 80-plus underage students named, with threats of rape,” said parent Jason Beard, who said he saw portions of the list, then contacted AST on Sunday before speaking with school officials Monday morning.

“The Alaska State Troopers are aware of the social media posts circulating online regarding conduct involving multiple students at Redington High School. The alleged conduct was reported to law enforcement (Nov. 17), and is being actively investigated,” said Austin McDaniel, communications director for the Department of Public Safety. “The Alaska State Troopers do not believe that any students at Redington High School are in danger at this time.” McDaniel said that the AST had multiple troopers look into the incident to ensure that no child was in immediate risk of danger.

Beard, who has two daughters that were named on the list, though they do not attend RJSH, parents and community members became aware of the list on Nov. 17 as word circulated on social media about its existence.

“There was a small group of other parents that met with the school resource officer, and we did it behind closed doors because students don’t need to hear that.” He said that he saw several parents pull their students out of school after learning about the list.

Beard said that he was told AST had spoken to one of the males who created the list, and that it was a “mistake,” and there wasn’t anything AST could do. Instead, he was referred to the school’s resource officer. Beard also said the school’s SRO could not verify if the students who created the list were still in school or not.

Neither the list nor the names on it have not been made public. The list places students into categories including “rapeable” and “unrapeable,” “majestic sh-t,” “fine sh-t,” “b#@ch” and “crazy.”

Beard said that he is frustrated at being told AST wasn’t pursuing the case, that instead it has been deferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and that he has taken his complaints to the District Attorney’s office, but feels that nothing will come of it and it will simply be swept under the rug.

“It is outrageous that they can’t do anything. How long does the public wait to hear that no charges are being filed? I’ve reached the complete and utter conclusion that nothing is going to be done.”

“As all of the parties involved are juveniles, AST will not be providing any additional information into our juvenile criminal investigation. It is ultimately the decision of the Division of Juvenile Justice on whether or not juvenile criminal charges will be filed against anyone involved,” said McDaniel, who also clarified that the school administration had taken action to deal with the incident to deal with the situation before law enforcement had even been notified. He also said that based upon the investigation, there was no information to support that the juveniles that created the list had posted it on social media.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) said it has been made aware of the recent posts regarding student conduct at the school.

“We take all concerns seriously and remain committed to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students,” said John Notestine, public information officer for MSBSD.

Brian Studstill, communications director for the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services, which includes the DJJ, said the DJJ, in addition to providing services to juvenile offenders based on their needs and risk of reoffending, begins the evaluation process in consultation with the district attorney's office, once police reports are received.

For his part, Beard has been in contact with local elected officials, including Rep. Cathy Tilton and Sen. Shelley Hughes, with whom he is scheduled to meet next month, and is also trying to reach the governor’s office, local advocacy groups and local attorneys.

“This is about the public safety of my kids, your kids, everyone’s kids. The mental health for a 15-year-old girl … to have (that) fear of rape will be disregarded by (law enforcement) that doesn’t want to proceed?”

“You can’t deny that this is happening everywhere, in every school,” Beard said. He is also aware that just because lists like these aren’t always on popular social media sites, that doesn’t mean they aren’t being created.

“We know that kids have underground communication systems, and that this is probably not the first time such a thing exists, nor is this the only school,” Beard said, adding that he believes lists like this exist because kids are idolizing the wrong people, citing celebrities like rapper Sean “Puffy” Combs, who is indicted on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, and Mike Tyson, who was convicted of rape in 1992 and spent three years in prison.

Beard is not alone in his frustration and anger at the situation. One social media post about the incident had over 500 reactions, hundreds of comments, and has been shared over 100 times, with some commenters calling for investigations and some saying they are not surprised at the “dehumanizing” and “disgusting” list. Others are waiting for more information from school and district officials.

Anyone with direct knowledge of the incident is asked to submit information, through the department’s website at www.dps.alaska.gov/tips or text the keyword AKTIPS, followed by your crime tip to 847411.