Mission man admits threatening local school

A St. Ignatius man, accused of making threats against the St. Ignatius Elementary School on YouTube, admitted to the related charge of felony intimidation. Nathaniel Luke Smith, 43, entered a plea of no contest as part of an agreement that recommends sentencing being deferred for three years. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records, on Nov. 26 Lake County Undersheriff Ben Woods was notified by an agent with the FBI of an investigation into threatening comments on YouTube videos, which led to Smith being identified. The information gathered revealed Smith’s email address, Montana State Driver’s License information and his physical address.

Smith resides just four blocks away from the school. Many of the alleged threats are not appropriate for public dissemination, but did include the mention of a school shooting.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for April 30. Smith was ordered to follow requirements of a mental health evaluation, given credit for having served 107 days, and released on his own recognizance.