UPDATED: Sparta man charged after threats to SCCC employee

Karl Taguinod, 24, of Sparta faces charges in connection with threats that prompted the evacuation of Sussex County Community College (SCCC) and the closure of its campus Tuesday evening, Aug. 22.

Taguinod was charged with third-degree terroristic threats and third-degree false public alarm, Newton police said Thursday, Aug. 24.

He is being held in the Morris County Jail.

Just before 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Newton Police Department received a report that a former student had threatened to harm an SCCC employee.

“Out of precaution, the Sussex County Community College was evacuated and remained closed (the) remainder of the night” and Wednesday, Aug. 23, the department said.

After an investigation, Taguinod was found at his home and was taken into custody Wednesday, Newton police said.

The investigation was conducted by the Newton Police Department and Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office with assistance from the Sparta Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit and Bomb Squad, Andover Township Police Department, Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and Vernon Township Police Department.

“There is no threat to the public,” Newton police said.

Sparta police assisted Newton police with an arrest warrant for Taguinod, said a spokesman for the Sparta department.

They were contacted by the Newton Police Department on Wednesday about an active arrest warrant for Taguinod, who was suspected of being in Sparta.

“We monitored his residence on South Shore Trail and observed that Mr. Taguinod was at the residence ... . While establishing a perimeter in the area, Mr. Taguinod attempted to flee the residence and was taken into custody in a wooded area behind his house without incident. He was immediately transported to the Newton PD for processing,” the spokesman said.

SCCC statement

A statement from Jon Connolly, SCCC’s president, that was posted on Facebook said college officials learned of a student mental health crisis that resulted in threats made to campus security about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Campus security immediately alerted the Newton Police Department and college administrators decided to evacuate and lock down the campus.

About 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, SCCC officials decided to delay opening the campus “since the situation had not yet been resolved.”

About 10:30 a.m., they decided to close the campus for the rest of the day “to allow law enforcement the opportunity to continue their investigation and search for the individual to ensure the safety of (the) community.”

About 2:30 p.m., the suspect was taken into police custody.

“Campus security has been working closely with Newton Police, Sparta Police and the New Jersey State Police to complete the investigation,” the statement said.

About 5:21 p.m., officials confirmed that the individual was in custody and was being taken to the Morris County Jail.

“The college is grateful to our security team and law enforcement for working together to peacefully resolve this matter. We are also appreciative of community members who reached out with concern for the school and demonstrated great patience during this dynamic situation,” according to the statement.