Issue Date: 5/19/08
Former student found guilty of bomb threats
By Lesette Tunnell
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William M. Hall II, 36, was accused of six felony counts of calling in bomb threats to the San Marcos campus on Sept. 13, Sept. 19 and Oct. 18.
The guilty plea means Hall could face up to nine years in prison when his case goes to sentencing.
Hall, who had attended Palomar classes in the past, also worked on campus for Palomar food contractor Aramark.
It was never clear why Hall made the calls that caused portions of the campus to be closed off for several hours, resulting in canceled classes, the evacuation of Palomar's Child Care Center and general confusion throughout campus.
Palomar President Bob Deegan said, "We are happy that this event is over; happy that the guy was apprehended, prosecuted and found guilty." He added that he wants this type of event to stop; "it disrupts classes and lives, and is very expensive for the college."
In one of the calls, Hall specifically threatened the Child Care Center. About 80 children were present at the time of the call and it took about 10 minutes to evacuate the whole center, said Pam Keinath, the center director.
"I hope his charges are accordingly and fair," she added.
The trial in Vista Superior Court began April 29.The case was based on phone records that indicated that the threatening calls were placed from Hall's cell phone at the time of the threats.
Sgt. Lee Martin of Palomar Campus Police said, "Records have been looked at and show calls being placed from Hall's cell phone to the Palomar college campus at the time the threats were placed."
Also, Palomar operators who took the calls claimed that the caller had a distinct voice that they confirmed to be Hall's after a voice clip was played for them.
Fortunately, the calls were all pranks - but they were taken seriously and led to chaos and concern at the San Marcos campus for students.
Campus police and administrative staff walked from room to room to make sure everyone was evacuated. The police left phone messages with information on class cancellations and expected time that students could return to campus.
"Anyone who does this in the future, we will get you," Deegan said.
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