Teen Faces 10 Felony Charges for Opelousas School Bomb Threats

Authorities say the threats caused significant disruption and placed students, staff, and emergency personnel at risk.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 8:37am

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An 18-year-old Opelousas man named Lyam Garcia has been arrested and charged with 10 felonies, including five counts of terrorizing and five counts of communicating false information of a planned bombing on school property. The charges stem from a series of bomb threats made at a local high school beginning on January 16, 2026, which caused significant disruption to the school's daily operations and placed students, staff, and emergency personnel at risk.

Why it matters

School bomb threats are a serious issue that can create widespread panic and endanger public safety. This case highlights the need for vigilance and strong law enforcement response to protect students and the community from such threats, which have become more common in recent years.

The details

According to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, investigators were able to link Garcia to the five bomb threats at the high school after reviewing records from a similar incident in 2023 in which Garcia was previously identified as a person of interest. The threats reportedly caused significant disruption to the school's daily operations and the hundreds of students in attendance.

  • The bomb threats began on January 16, 2026.
  • Garcia was previously identified as a person of interest in a similar incident in 2023.

The players

Lyam Garcia

An 18-year-old Opelousas man who has been arrested and charged with 10 felonies related to the bomb threats.

Bobby J. Guidroz

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff who emphasized the department's commitment to pursuing those who threaten the community.

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What they’re saying

“These acts not only disrupt the school and the hundreds of students, but they also place people at risk; students and staff, the first responders and other innocent persons. In today's climate our nation as a whole is at risk to terrorist acts, we will remain relentless in our pursuit of those who wish to endanger our public.”

— Bobby J. Guidroz, St. Landry Parish Sheriff

What’s next

Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about these crimes to contact the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office or submit anonymous tips through the P3 mobile application.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences and public safety risks associated with school bomb threats, and the importance of a strong law enforcement response to hold perpetrators accountable and protect the community.