Man charged with taking gun to Athens High School freed - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

Man charged with taking gun to Athens High School freed

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ATHENS, Ala. (AP) - A man accused of bringing a loaded shotgun to Athens High School in 2010 because he was angry at the principal has been released from jail on a $1 million bond.

Athens Bonding Co. promised to post the $1 million bail, securing the release of 52-year-old Thomas Brian Smoak from the Limestone County Jail on Tuesday.

Smoak had been jailed since May 25 last year.

Smoak is charged with making a terrorist threat and possession of a firearm. Authorities say he took a loaded shotgun to the school because he was angry that Principal Chris Bolen had suspended his son for using a racial slur toward another student.

Smoak's wife warned Athens Police and school officials that her husband was headed to the school.

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