California man charged with threats to high school, football team

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California man was charged with making criminal threats and a fake bomb report to a high school that defeated his favored team in a championship football game, according to court records and authorities.

Eugene Thomas Jenkins, 29, was charged Tuesday with making criminal threats and attempted criminal threats as well as other charges, online court records show.

His arraignment is scheduled Friday in the Orange County city of Newport Beach. He is being held without bail, online jail records show.

Jenkin was arrested Saturday in the Bay Area city of San Rafael and accused of threatening staff and students more than 400 miles (644 kilometers) away at Laguna Hills High School in Southern California.

Orange County sheriff’s authorities said Jenkins made death threats through phone calls and letters against more than a dozen people including members of the Laguna Hills football team, which beat Bellarmine Prep of San Jose in December 2022 to become state champions.

Orange County sheriff’s authorities said Jenkins was a Bellarmine fan.

A message was sent to Jenkins’ attorney. A message was left for the Orange County district attorney’s office.