UNION, N.J. (AP) - A former Kean University student was charged Tuesday with making fake threats against fellow black students at the New Jersey school, which increased racial tensions and led to heightened security.
Kayla-Simone McKelvey, of Union Township, faces one count of creating a false public alarm, which carries a maximum three- to five-year sentence.
The Union County prosecutor's office said McKelvey, 24, participated in a Nov. 17 rally on racial issues at Kean and then went to a campus library computer and posted anonymous threats on Twitter against black students. Investigators said McKelvey then returned to the rally and tried to raise awareness about the threats.
Security was increased at Kean after the threats were discovered, though classes weren't affected.
It wasn't immediately known Tuesday if McKelvey had retained an attorney who could comment on the accusations, and she didn't reply to an email from The Associated Press.
Kean President Dawood Farahi said in a statement posted on the school's Twitter account that the school was "saddened to learn that the person allegedly responsible was an active participant in the rally that took place on campus ... and is a former student of Kean."
"No cause or issue gives anyone the right to threaten the safety of others," Farahi said. "We hope this information will begin to bring a sense of relief and security to the campus community."
McKelvey is scheduled to make a court appearance in two weeks.