Warren man accused of harassing Poland School Board Office worker during gas leak
A Warren man is facing several charges after police say he made several phone calls harassing a worker at the Poland School Board Office during a recent evacuation.
The alleged calls took place Friday, September 13 when McKinley Elementary School and Poland Middle School were evacuated for a short time due to a gas leak in the surrounding area.
Parents and guardians of students in the district received an all call regarding the situation. Shortly after this all call went out, police say 35-year-old John Rhodes called the Board Office 11 times until an employee returned his call.
Police say Rhodes acted "irate" over the phone and allegedly told her she was lucky he did not come kick down the doors and "go guns blazing."
According to a criminal complaint, this call lasted 32 minutes, which prevented the employee from taking calls regarding the gas leak including one from the district's superintendent.
Rhodes is charged with two counts of obstructing official business, aggravated menacing, inducing panic and telecommunications harassment.
Rhodes was arraigned on these charges on September 20 and is due back in court for a trial on October 16.