Online Threats Targeting Murrieta School: 23-Year-Old Woman Arrested
MURRIETA, CA — A 23-year-old woman with a history of making criminal threats in Riverside County was in custody after she allegedly made threats this week against Thompson Middle School in Murrieta.
Julianna Ortgega of Menifee was arrested Wednesday morning following a Murrieta Police Department investigation that began Tuesday after online threats were made targeting the school, according to police Lt. Jeremy Durrant.
When investigators traced the alleged threats to Ortgega, she was questioned and subsequently taken into custody. A search of her place of residence turned up no weapons or destructive devices, Durrant said.
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A motive for the alleged threats was unclear but Ortgega is known to law enforcement. In May 2023, she was convicted on three counts of making criminal threats and was sentenced to state prison, Riverside County court records show.
Durrant said Ortgega had targeted Murrieta’s Shivela Middle School and others in Riverside County.
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Ortgega was on parole at the time of Tuesday’s alleged threats, Durrant said. Court records show she was already due to appear in court for a Sept. 25 felony settlement conference stemming from alleged parole violations, including resisting arrest.
Ortgega has no history of drug- or alcohol-related charges in Riverside County, court records show.
Thompson Middle School students and staff are safe, and Durrant said there were no injuries.
“We take the safety and security of our schools with the utmost seriousness and are confident this matter has been resolved,” the lieutenant said. “Regardless, we will continue to maintain an increased level of awareness at Thompson and all of the schools in our district.”
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