School threats: Felony charge filed

Law enforcement officials say that it was an effective system that led to the arrest on Monday of a Kalispell man suspected of making online threats.

“I think it actually went better than expected, considering how many people and agencies were involved,” Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset said Tuesday.

David Joseph Lenio, 28, of Kalispell was arrested on suspicion of malicious intimidation, a felony. He allegedly posted threats of violence toward schools and Jews on social media.

The Kalispell Police Department learned of the threats late Sunday. On Monday, police worked with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, the Whitefish Police Department and the FBI to find Lenio. He was taken into custody shortly before 5 p.m. Monday at the Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Shortly after the arrest, Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau began transmitting automated emails and phone calls to parents of students. 

“We were really holding off until we had some definitive word from law enforcement,” Flatau said. “So our tentative plan was to wait until no later than 6 o’clock to see if he was apprehended.”

After the arrest, law enforcement officials met with school officials for an update. Flatau said it was a relief. If Lenio hadn’t been arrested, the district might have gone into a “soft lockdown.”

Flatau said that Tuesday was a normal school day in the district. Other than a few follow-up phone calls, he said that the response from parents was appreciative.

The automated message system is new to the school district this year. While it’s often used to broadcast school closings and other information, Flatau said this was the first time it was used in a security situation. 

With school out on Monday for President’s Day, Nasset said that a more serious situation likely was avoided. Lenio’s alleged threats didn’t target specific schools or students, but contained strong language. Lenio’s social media accounts appear to have been taken down.

“The message that he was sending out was about killing people,” Nasset said. “He was primarily focused on grade-school children and Jewish people.”

On Tuesday, police were wrapping up an investigation that included a mental evaluation of Lenio. Nasset said that it was “unclear what his ideology was” during interviews. 

Lenio remains at the Flathead County Detention Center, held on the pending charge.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.