Former Edison Tech student Abigail Hernandez pleaded guilty in Federal Court Wednesday to a charge of making a terroristic threat against East High School.
The 21-year-old special needs student pled guilty to falsely reporting an incident, a misdemeanor charge rather than a felony. She will receive three years probation as part of a plea bargain.
Her defense attorney hoped that by pleading guilty to a lesser charge, Hernandez would avoid being deported as an illegal alien. Hernandez was a “dreamer,” brought to this country by her parents when she was three years old. Despite their hopes, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents immediately arrested Hernandez when she left the courtroom, and walked her in handcuffs past her waiting family.
Hernandez’ father said she is a former Special Olympian and was incapable of understanding or carrying out the alleged threat to “shoot up” East High, but her level of understanding was never brought up in court.
The judge said the plea agreement is fair given her mental ability evaluation.