February 06, 2025
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Oregon teenager pleads not guilty to making threat against Byron High School

By Earleen Hinton
The Ogle County Judicial Center is located in the 100 block of S. Fifth Street in Oregon, Illinois. The building houses courtrooms as well as the offices of the Circuit Clerk, Probation, and State's Attorney.

The Ogle County Judicial Center is located in the 100 block of S. Fifth Street in Oregon, Illinois. The building houses courtrooms as well as the offices of the Circuit Clerk, Probation, and State's Attorney. ( Earleen Hinton )

OREGON – An Oregon teenager pleaded not guilty Wednesday to making a threat against the Byron High School last November.

Malakye Swanson, 18, was charged Jan. 15 with the Class 4 felony offense of disorderly conduct (school threat). Court records say Swanson “knowingly transmitted” a threat of destruction of the school by saying he was “going to shoot up” Byron High School on or about Nov. 15, 2024.

Swanson appeared in Ogle County Circuit Court on Wednesday with his attorney, Cassandra Hirth, in front of Judge Anthony Peska. Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Huntley represented the state.

Swanson waived his right to a preliminary hearing, pleaded not guilty, and requested a jury trial, a common request made by defendants during their initial court appearances.

His next court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 12.

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Earleen Hinton

Earleen Hinton

Earleen creates content and oversees production of 8 community weeklies. She has worked for Shaw Newspapers since 1985.