Woman Sentenced In Broward Schools Lockdown Threat
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - The South Florida woman accused of sending a threatening email involving guns which led to a massive lockdown of Broward schools last November has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The judge called it a "calculated effort to create maximum havoc in Broward County."
In May, 48-year-old Ellisa Martinez pleaded guilty to sending an email to conservative radio talk show host Joyce Kauffman saying "something big" would happen at a government building or school.
The threats caused officials to order about 275,000 students locked down for several hours in 300 public, private and charter schools. Tens of thousands of dollars in overtime and other expenses were incurred by numerous police agencies and the FBI, according to prosecutor Michael Walleisa.
Martinez' federal public defender Samuel Randall argued for leniency and claimed due to a past serious head injury, she could not comprehend the consequences of her actions. But prosecutors said Martinez had a college degree in political science and even after her accident obtained a teaching certificate in California.
In giving Martinez a two-year term, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore went above the sentencing guidelines because of the scale of the disruption.
After credit for time served since her arrest last year, Martinez will spend about 15 months in a federal penitentiary.
Her lawyer said Martinez was trying to make a political point about gun rights but the e-mail's references to weapons and possible attacks on schools or government buildings triggered the lockdown.
Joyce Kauffman, who was present in the courtroom for sentencing, said she felt it was a 'just' sentence.
"She planned it. I was asked if I wanted to make a statement and I chose not to because this case was about the people and law enforcement of Broward County who were inconvenienced," said Kauffman.
Martinez said she sent the e-mail to Kauffman after reading that she was to become chief of staff for Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West. However, Kauffman gave up the job to avoid political fallout for West, a tea party favorite and ardent gun rights supporter. Kauffman said she is now pursuing a civil lawsuit against Martinez.
In brief remarks, Martinez apologized for her actions and for causing "the drama of that day." Her attorney, Randall, said Martinez was attempting to make a mocking political point about the dangers of gun violence and never intended to cause such a major problem or harm anyone.
