Jeffrey Shifler, a former Boonsboro police officer, age 41, of Maugansville, was charged yesterday, by criminal information, with interference with attendance at public schools and interference with housing, in connection with threats he made against African American students at two Hagerstown high schools, and against an African American woman living in Hagerstown.
The two-count information charges Shifler with calling the Washington County Board of Education in Hagerstown on November 29, 2005 and threatening to shoot African American students at North Hagerstown and South Hagerstown High Schools. The information also charges that on January 31, 2006 Shifler left a voice mail message at the home of an African American woman living in Hagerstown claiming to be from the Ku Klux Klan, and threatening to kill her and burn down her home.
Shifler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each charge. The defendant’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled.
On February 9, 2006 Shifler was originally charged by criminal complaint with making threats and maliciously conveying false information concerning attempts to kill, injure and intimidate individuals, by means of fire and explosives and falsely alleging to place anthrax at the Hagerstown City Hall.
He has been detained since his arrest.