Student leader pleads not guilty to threats to bomb, harassment

At the end of an election gone wrong, an Olympic College student leader was arrested May 21 and remains in the Kitsap County jail on $50,000 bail. Joseph Vannett was arrested and charged with threats to bomb and felony harassment following a series of altercations revolving around the recent spring Executive Council elections. Vannett, vice president of judicial affairs, was elected to office in the fall. The morning before his arrest, Vannett was called into a meeting with Vice President of Student Services Rick MacLennan and Safety and Security Supervisor Rocky Wallace to discuss his conduct on the Shelton campus on May 20 and threatening messages left on the voice mails of several college personnel. Vannett was issued an emergency summary suspension and escorted off campus immediately following the meeting. According to the suspension served to Vannett by MacLennan, the ban from campus was issued after it was deemed that Vannett's actions "materially and substantially interferes with the personal rights or privileges of others or the educational processes of the college." The letter of suspension details two voice mails in particular left by Vannett where he allegedly indicated that there would be a "blood bath" at the following week's OC Board of Trustees meeting as well as a threat to "blow OC out of the water." MacLennan said that the college did not file charges against Vannett and that the Bremerton Police Department made the decision to take Vannett into custody after conducting interviews on and off campus. According to police reports, Vannett was arrested after students and faculty came forward with threats made by Vannett toward Toni Hartsfield, director of Student Programs and leadership development, and other members of the college campus. "There were threats about me and threats about the college," said Hartsfield. "People were pretty concerned about me and concerned in general." According to one police report, Ashley Brand, then-candidate for the vice president of OC Shelton, stated that Vannett has said, "Toni should be shot," during his election visit to the satellite campus. His threat was allegedly heard and reported by at least one other student present on the campus. "I've never before been fearful of my life," said Hartsfield. "My life has changed and my life with my family has changed. This is very difficult." The court set a trial date of July 13 and an omnibus hearing date of June 17. Vannett's bail remains set at $50,000 after being lowered from $100,000. Class B felonies carry a maximum of 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine. Vannett was set to appear in court for arraignment May 26, but was removed from the courtroom before going before the judge after complaining of medical issues. Vannett appeared in Superior Court Wednesday and was formally charged. In an e-mail sent May 22, MacLennan said that the college has made an effort to increase visibility of security on campus and to have the presence of at least one Bremerton police officer. A text message alert was sent out May 26 from MacLennan's office updating students and staff on Vannett's status in court as well as the increased security presence on campus. Vannett's mother made an appearance at the May 26 Board of Trustees meeting on behalf of her son. "I want something done because these charges are not right," said Cheryl Vannett to the board. Vannett said that her son was falsely charged, and jailed because he was preparing to come forward with information on illegal actions within the college. "Nothing was done for over six months, and when he was ready to make his problems known, he was jailed," said Cheryl Vannett. "It has been nothing but lie after lie." The members of the board denied to comment without their legal council present. "I'll let the dirt come out in court," said Cheryl Vannett.

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