Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the most recent reporting as of Oct. 11. Click here for the most recent story.
Correction appended.
Anna Ayers, commissioner of the Ohio University Student Senate Appropriations Commission, was arrested by the OU Police Department on Monday and charged with three counts of making false alarms.
Ayers — an OU senior studying journalism, a member of The Post Publishing Board and a previous Post columnist — reported that she received three threatening messages, two in the Student Senate office and one at her residence. An OUPD investigation found that Ayers placed the messages herself prior to reporting them.
According to a previous Post report, Student Senate held a meeting to address the threats made to Ayers last Wednesday. At that point, Senate leadership believed the reports came from another member of the body.
“We are still processing and encouraging our members to take time to heal and utilize campus support resources right now,” Student Senate President Maddie Sloat said in a statement. “We’re complying with the investigation and OUPD. We hope Anna receives the help that she needs.”
According to OUPD’s report, making false alarms is a first-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Ayers was scheduled to appear in Athens County Municipal Court on Thursday morning, but will appear at a later date.
Correction: A previous version of this report incorrectly stated the date Ayers will appear in court. The article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information.
