Charges Dropped Against Falmouth Teen Accused of School Threats

FALMOUTH (WBSM) — Charges have been dropped against the Falmouth 18-year-old who was arrested earlier this month on allegations that he threatened a school in his town.

READ MORE: Falmouth Teen Charged in Alleged School Threat

Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois announced today that the Commonwealth had entered a nolle prosequi in the case against Ian Fotheringham.

What Is Nolle Prosequi?

Nolle prosequi means “failure to prosecute,” usually due to lack of evidence.

Galibois said the nolle prosequi was “supported by an affidavit by the prosecutor assigned to the case.”

Why the Charges Were Dropped

The D.A. said his office had “learned of a discrepancy which made further prosecution in the District Court no longer available.” According to WCVB, that discrepancy was that the original information that came in from a 911 caller reporting the threat “has since been determined to be wrong.”

"After further investigation, including review of records and witness interviews, the Commonwealth has determined that the 911 caller who reported the threats on August 28, 2025, and later advised Falmouth Police personnel that the verbal threats were recently made during August 2025 was wrong, and the said reports of a recent August 2025 threat were inaccurate," Assistant D.A. Thomas Flanagan wrote in an affidavit, as reported by WCVB.

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Other Accusation Against Fotheringham

It was also alleged that Fotheringham was walking in the woods behind a Falmouth Public School earlier this month, and that school safety monitors reported he was “casing” the school. Police later searched his home and found a 3D printer they said was capable of producing a firearm, and photos of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting on his phone.

Fotheringham’s defense attorney maintains his client did nothing wrong.

Galibois said the matter “remains an ongoing investigation” and that “future developments will be released when publicly available.”