NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- Social media threats against Hampton Roads area schools continued despite several arrests made on Monday and Tuesday.
As of early Wednesday morning, at least six students face felony charges.
"A class six felony carries up to five years in prison, and a class five carries up to 10," said Ed Booth, 13News Now legal analyst.
If the person convicted is 14 and older Booth said that becomes public record.
"They could not have a firearm in the future, it will make it very difficult for them to get jobs," he said.
Since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, at least 18 schools in Hampton Roads have received threats.
According to police, the latest threats made were against Kempsville Middle School and Brandon Middle School.
Charges are pending against the student who allegedly posted a threat on social media referencing violence against Kempsville Middle School.
A threat was made toward Blair Middle School on Tuesday night around 5:30 p.m. It was posted to social media threatening to shoot students and staff if they come to school next week.
While police were investigating that threat, another social media threat was posted using a similar username. The threat was directed towards students at Jacox Elementary.
A 7th grader was arrested. The 13-year-old is facing felony charges for making threats of death or bodily injury to a person or persons on school property.
Other threats were directed at Norview Middle School in Norfolk and Woodrow Wilson and IC Norcom High Schools in Portsmouth.
Norfolk Police said they received the threat against Norview on social media around 11:40 Tuesday night.
Norfolk Public Schools issued the following statement to 13News Now:
Norfolk Public Schools is aware of a disturbing social media post circulating about Norview Middle School. We take any threat such as this seriously and are working closely with Norfolk PD as this matter is investigated.
Parents are encouraged to speak to their children about the very serious nature of making threats as students found to have done this will be subject to appropriate disciplinary and legal actions. This includes expulsion and being charged with a felony.
Additional officers have been assigned to the school as a precautionary measure.
Norfolk police arrested an 11-year-old, a 6th grader from Norview Middle School student. She is facing a Class 6 felony charge for making threats of death or bodily injury to person or persons on school property.
A 7th grader also from Norview Middle school was arrested for making a verbal threat to send a bomb to the school. He is facing a Class 1 misdemeanor for making threats toward the school.
Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, police are investigating indirect threats made against Woodrow Wilson High School and IC Norcom High School. Police said they've increased security while they investigate.
A statement from Portsmouth Public Schools read:
We have received no viable threats against any of our schools. There are posts circulating on social media inquiring about whether there has been a threat to Portsmouth schools, specifically Wilson High and I.C. Norcom High. We shared this information with the Police, and they are investigating. Out of an abundance of caution, there is an increased police presence at both those schools today. In an effort to reassure parents, we posted a safety message on our website on Sunday and emailed it to each staff member and parent.”
Threats have been made against at least nine other schools since the weekend. All threats have been investigated and so far found to not be credible.
Police have arrested a teenager in connection with a threat made at Lake Taylor Middle School, and another teen was arrested for a threat against Virginia Beach Middle School.
Anyone found posting threats on social media face a Class 6 Felony resulting in up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.
Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about the seriousness of making threats verbally and on social media. These crimes carry potentially significant consequences such as detention and fines.
Anyone with information about local school threats is encouraged to call the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-UP.