Bond set for USM student charged with posting threat

The University of Southern Mississippi student charged with posting a threat on social media had a 3.7 grade-point average and comes from an excellent family, said his attorney, Glenn White, during a bond hearing Wednesday.

Bond was set at $40,000 for Brandon Hardin, 20, of Carriere, who was arrested Monday night and charged with posting a computer threat to cause injury, a felony offense. He is accused of having made an anonymous post on the social media application Yik Yak on Monday morning that threatened members of the university community at Joseph Greene Hall on Tuesday.

Hardin was released from jail on bond Wednesday afternoon. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

"His father is retired Navy and his mother works in the area, the family is well-respected," White told Justice Court Judge Gay Polk-Payton during Hardin's first appearance held in the Forrest County Jail courtroom.

Forrest County Prosecutor Pam Castle recommended a bond of $75,000 because of the nature of crime and the safety of the community. She also asked that Hardin not be allowed on the Southern Miss campus.

White of Petal asked the judge to consider "a reasonable bond" of $10,000, and said Hardin would be required to return to campus at some point for an administrative hearing with Dean of Students Eddie Holloway.

"We still stick to the $75,000 bond recommendation, and that he remains off the USM campus," Castle reiterated.

After consideration, Polk-Payton said she understood the considerations of both attorneys.

"Bond will be set at $40,000, I'm meeting you halfway," said the judge who told Hardin he could not be on the Southern Miss campus without invitation or his bond could be revoked.

Hardin, a business major, told Polk-Payton he had no prior felony convictions and worked at iTech, Southern Miss' technology support services. His attorney said Hardin was the 2013 Student Employee of the Year at Southern Miss. His mother and grandmother also were at the hearing.

The anonymous post — made on the Yik Yak app Monday morning — led campus police and administrators to issue an Eagle Alert to students and parents and increase security in and around Joseph Greene Hall.

The 11-word two-sentence post also recommended students miss class at "JGH."

University Police are continuing the investigation following an interview with Hardin, but there has been no corroborating information or evidence to support a threat to campus.

"We are pleased that we are close to a resolution in this case," said University Police Chief Bob Hopkins following Hardin's arrest. "The quick arrest is a credit to good and efficient detective work. This incident should serve as another reminder that safety is of primary importance to the University of Southern Mississippi, and you are responsible for what you post on social media."

USM Police said Yik Yak officials cooperated with the investigation.