Warner Robins Middle School Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Student Over Israeli Flag Dispute

A Warner Robins Middle School teacher, identified as Benjamin Reese, was arrested on December 8, following accusations of threatening to behead a student. The incident occurred on December 7 in the 7th-grade technical hallway. Witnesses reported overhearing Reese shouting profanities and making threats towards the student.

According to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Reese, a 7th-grade social studies teacher, was confronted by a student who found his Israeli flag offensive. The student expressed her concerns, leading to a verbal exchange between Reese and the student. Reese, who identified himself as Jewish with family in Israel, accused the student of being antisemitic due to her objection to the flag.

Witnesses reported that Reese followed the students down the hallway, continuing to express his anger. Later, he was heard loudly cursing in his classroom, making severe threats against the student, including dragging her into the parking lot and harming her.

The incident was captured on video without audio, showing Reese yelling in the hallway before returning to his classroom. The school’s deputy reviewed the footage and informed Principal Brett Wallace. During questioning, Reese denied making threats and became defensive when asked about his interactions with students.

The deputy interviewed multiple witnesses, including teachers, staff members, and students, who confirmed hearing Reese’s threatening statements. Wallace questioned Reese in his classroom, where Reese expressed anger and kicked a door stopper aggressively.

Reese’s bond was set at $2,500 for the charge of making terroristic threats and $5,000 for the charge of cruelty to children. During the investigation, Reese invoked his civil rights, declining to provide further information.