DesJardins pleads not guilty in school threat

RITZVILLE — A local boy accused of threatening to shoot classmates and bombing the school has pleaded not guilty to related charges.

During a Monday, Nov. 4 hearing, Donald G. DesJardins, 14, of Ritzville, entered a not guilty plea to a felony charge of Revised Code of Washington 9.61.160, threats to bomb, before Adams County Superior Court Judge Andrea K. Russell.

Desjardins was arrested Oct. 22, 2024, following a one-day investigation by area police agencies regarding alleged communications sent by DesJardins to various community members via the social media, records show. The boy is accused of targeting specific individuals at Lind-Ritzville High School.

He was represented at the hearing by attorney Deanna K. Krull, an employee of Action Legal in Spokane and a public defender. Krull’s role was temporary at the defense attorney assigned to the case is Andrea Crumpler.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Eigler represented the state.

“Threats to bomb,” Russell said, “is a Class B felony offense punishable for adults with up to 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine, or both. But as a juvenile, without any prior criminal offense history or referrals... the maximum possible penalty is local sanctions... which could mean a maximum of 30 days at Martin Hall (a Washington juvenile detention facility,) 150 hours of community work service, and up to 12 months of juvenile community supervision.”

Russell set DesJardin’s trial for January, with a preliminary fact finding for Dec. 13.

Russell notified the court that she has a daughter who was graduated last year from Lind-Ritzville High School. She said she also has a son who attends the same school.

The son received the threatening message allegedly sent by DesJardins but he was not named as a targeted individual, she said.

“I would be required to recuse myself from this case if my son were likely to be a material witness in the case,” Russell said. “At this point, since my son has not even been contacted or interviewed by law enforcement, I think his role was only as a passive recipient,” she said.