Louisville Man Arrested for Threats to Eminence Schools

Facing two charges

                                 (OCJ)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville man has been arrested for terroristic threatening after police say his threat caused Eminence Independent Schools to go on lockdown Thursday and close on Friday. 

Jenerro Mack-Goldsmith, 28, was arrested on Saturday night and charged with falsely reporting an incident and second-degree terroristic threatening.  

According to an arrest citation, Mack-Goldsmith made a "false report" to police on Oct. 8 by creating a fake phone number and name through an app. During that call to Kentucky State Police Post 5, he claimed someone stole property from him. 

Police say on Thursday, using the same fake name "Cory Maxwell," he made a "credible threat of violence to Eminence Independent Schools," saying that if two children were not released to him, he would "shoot anyone who attempted to stop him." 

Eminence Independent Schools delayed dismissal of students Thursday because of what they called a "community threat," and many students ended up in the building until after 7 p.m.

Eminence Independent Schools has one building for all grades, which is nearly 1,000 students.

After hours of waiting, Superintendent Buddy Berry sent a voicemail to parents at 6:44 p.m. Thursday stating that students would be released shortly. Another voicemail sent to parents just after 9:20 p.m. said school would not be in session Friday, and all teachers and staff would have the day off.

During dismissal on Thursday, officers walked each student to the bus or a vehicle. The department also put a police officer on each bus. 

Eminence Police Chief Mike Wells said the department used investigative techniques to find Mack-Goldsmith.

"When he used these Text Me Now apps, he thought they were untraceable," Wells said. "However, we subpoenaed the Text Me Now and got the phone number, the carrier, through that we got a search warrant for an IP address which led back to his house." 

Eminence Police worked with Kentucky State Police and the Louisville Metro Police Department to arrest Mack-Goldsmith, where they say he confessed to the threat. 

Students will return to in-person classes on Monday at Eminence Independent Schools. 

Wells says police will also be at the school to "keep everyone safe" and answer any questions from parents, students and staff.