Coleman Man Faces Sentencing on Charge Stemming from Threat to Coleman ISD

SAN ANGELO, TX-- After threatening to "massacre" Coleman ISD, a Coleman man awaits his sentencing on one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Lorenzo Hale, 52, appeared in Federal Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to the charge, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office press release.

The charge, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence, stems from a Feb. 15 incident involving a threat made by Hale toward Coleman ISD. The release states that Hale told law enforcement he was threatened and "If one hair on both of my daughters' head is harmed tomorrow, there will be a massacre." The release also says Hale alluded to possessing a gun. The threat forced Coleman ISD to ramp up security at its schools.

The next day, Hale's girlfriend was contacted and told of the threat by a Texas Ranger and Coleman Police Chief Anthony Smith. Hale's girlfriend was asked to surrender any firearms to law enforcement. 

It was determined that Hale possessed the surrendered firearms after further investigation. That investigation also discovered Hale had previously been convicted and imprisoned for a term longer than an year, as well as a 2005 conviction for the same charge Hale pleaded guilty to on Wednesday.

Along with a maximum 10-year sentence, Hale also faces a $250,000 fine.

Along with the Coleman Police Department and Texas Rangers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Texas Department of Public Safety aided in the investigation.