Early Tuesday morning, the Sterling Police Department School Resource Officer was contacted by the Sterling Public School District (SPS) about potential threat information they received. SPS learned of the potential threat information from a concerned parent. The parent reportedly learned of the potential threat from their child, an SPS student. As a result of this information, and out of abundance of caution for the safety of SPS students and staff, Sterling Officers and Detectives responded to the area of the Sterling High School. Simultaneously, the Sterling Police Department School Resource Officer initiated an investigation into the threat information.
At the same time, a Sterling Officer conducted an unrelated investigative stop in the vicinity of the Sterling High School for a traffic violation. A 15–year–old female was identified as the driver of the vehicle and Jesse L. Hall, 40, of Sterling, was identified as the sole passenger. Upon further investigation, Hall was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Due to the potential safety concerns arising from the traffic stop and the close proximity of the traffic stop to the Sterling High School, police asked SPS Administration to enact their Crisis Plan.
SPS went into a Limited Access Lockdown district–wide until it was determined the two incidents were not related.
The 15–year–old female driver was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and was released to the custody of her parent. Hall was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Unlawful Use of Weapons, and Possession of a Firearm without Requisite Firearm Owner’s Identification Card. Hall was transported to the Whiteside County Jail.
Sterling Police arrested a second 15–year–old female for Disorderly Conduct based on the initial threat investigation by the School Resource Officer. The juvenile was released to the custody of her parent.
The Sterling Police Department would like to thank SPS Administration for their collaboration in this matter and we would like to remind the community that prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities can help prevent violent crimes.
