Trial date set for student accused of making criminal threats

Karl Manaig’s attorneys entered a plea of not guilty on Wednesday morning at El Centro Courthouse. They said they plan to deny all allegations and file a motion against the charges, which they said were not properly made.

The judge asked Deputy District Attorney Kevin Cayton if they were planning on making a plea deal. He said not at this time.

Manaig, a senior at Imperial High School, is accused of allegedly making criminal threats against two students at his Imperial High School. He was arrested in February after students alerted school officials of the threats. Police recovered 21 firearms, including two semi-automatic rifles, at Manaig’s home during a search warrant. Manaig is free on his own promise to appear in court. He is currently prohibited by the court from coming close to Imperial High School or certain students.

Manaig is represented by the law office of Lepe-Negrete and Barrreto.