Man Appeals Sentence For School Threat

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) – A man who pleaded guilty to making threats against a Mississippi school has appealed his six-year federal prison sentence.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on Feb. 3 in New Orleans.

Prosecutors say Joshua Brandon Pillault made the threats against Oxford High School in a chat room for an online medieval fantasy and role-playing strategy game called “Runescape.” Another player reported the threats in October 2012.

Pillault pleaded guilty to one count of making threats in interstate and foreign commerce in 2013.

Pillault argues the sentence was too harsh because there was no evidence that he intended to carry out the threat.

Prosecutors said Pillault had researched how to make bombs, the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and serial killers, according to court records.