Custodian Jimmy Martin charged with making mass threats against Cold Spring Harbor school district

A Suffolk County custodian is accused of making threats against the school district where he works just days after he was denied a promotion, Suffolk police said.

Jimmy Martin, 57, of Huntington was arrested at his home on Oakwood Road at about 10:44 p.m. and was charged with making a threat of mass harm against the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District, police said.

When informed that he did not get the promotion he applied for last week, Martin made the unspecified threat while speaking to co-workers on two separate occasions, on Friday and Monday, police said.

A school administrator contacted police on Wednesday evening after learning about the threats, police said.

Martin has been employed by the district since 2009, and earned $96,395 in 2023, according to See ThroughNY.

He was held overnight at the Third Precinct and was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday.

Martin pleaded not guilty and a judge issued a temporary order of protection. He was released on non-monetary bail conditions. His attorney could not be reached for comment.

Superintendent Jill Gierasch said in a statement that Martin was assigned to the junior/senior high school and West Side Elementary School on the evening shift, and does not have direct contact with students. 

He was "immediately reassigned to home while the police investigation" was underway, she said. District administrators and staff are available to support students who have any concerns about this situation. 

"The safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority. Our district security team will be vigilant on all campuses while regular instruction will take place as usual," Gierasch said. "We look forward to a full day of instruction today, thanks to the hands of many vigilant staff members."