ATHENS –The Athens Police Department assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in
identifying a local teen after he made threats against an Athens school earlier this year, police officials
said on December 4, 2025.
The teen has been in custody since June.
Carson Albert Butler,
Chief Anthony Pressnell and Det. Lt. Jonathan Caldwell said the FBI contacted Athens Police in June
that a then 17-year-old Athens resident made a threat online against Athens High School’s students,
faculty and school resource officers, Caldwell said.
Athens Police immediately contacted school officials since there were school activities planned at
some campuses over the summer. Pressnell said Athens Police also provided additional officers, in
uniform and undercover, at campus events.
“Superintendent Beth Patton and school system staff stayed in constant communication with us and
worked well with us to maintain school safety,” Pressnell said.
Based on FBI information, Athens Police investigators identified Carson Albert Butler, who is now 18,
as the suspect and assisted the FBI in locating him, Caldwell said. Pressnell said Butler previously
attended Athens High but was not a student at the time of the alleged threat.
The Limestone County District Attorney’s Office presented the school threat case to a grand jury.
Butler is in the Limestone County Jail, indicted on two charges of conspiracy to commit murder/other
crime; terrorism-assault first-degree; and two charges of attempted murder/non-negligent
manslaughter.
