(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs, said Wednesday, that a Council Bluffs Public School District employee was arrested Dec. 1st on a warrant charging her with Threats of Terrorism. Capt. Todd Weddum said 37-year-old Katrina Phelan, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody after she turned herself in to the Pottawattamie County Jail. Phelan faces three Class-D Felony counts of Threats of Terrorism. Each count is punishable by up to 5 years of prison.

Council Bluffs police detectives conducted an investigation into a series of anonymous handwritten notes found inside the school, all making reference to committing gun violence upon school property. Each of the notes were reportedly either found in Phelan’s classroom or found by Phelan herself, in various locations within the school. While the  investigation was taking place, the school district worked with the Council Bluffs Police Department to increase the  security presence inside the building.

When interviewed, Phelan admitted to writing the notes. It was determined that she had no intentions or means of carrying out these threats. In at least one of the notes, Phelan, posing as an unnamed student, wrote that she was tired  of being made fun of.