Man in Fountain Valley School smoke bomb hoax to be sentenced - Colorado Springs Gazette

A former employee at an elite private school who pleaded guilty to trying to ignite a smoke bomb in the cafeteria is expected to be sentenced today.

For a prank meant to induce terror before graduation day at the Fountain Valley School in Security-Widefield, Bryan Bolding faces one to three years in prison but also is eligible for probation plus up to 90 days in jail.

His sentence is expected to be imposed at 2 p.m. Thursday by 4th Judicial District Judge Scott Sells.

Bolding, 46, pleaded guilty in September to a single count of menacing, forgoing a trial. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor - a misdemeanor - and two felonies alleging a hoax involving an explosive device.

The sentencing comes on the same day as a separate scheduled appearance by Bolding's 16-year-old son, who is preparing to go to trial on charges alleging he participated in the hoax.

The pair were arrested in May, less than two weeks before graduation day.

Their alleged plot to set off a smoke bomb near the school salad bar was quashed when a cafeteria worker noticed a suspicious device and then saw Bolding's son, a student, turn "white" and run off holding something in his hand, authorities said. That object was allegedly an igniter. A bomb squad collected the devices and rendered them safe.

Bolding, a technology worker, had recently learned his contract wasn't being renewed.

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