As Americans sit in shock, mourning and utter disbelief at the tragedy that unfolded in Texas just one day earlier, we now have to face a local woman threatening to blow up an elementary school in Passaic County.

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Prospect Park Police Chief Ammen Matari announce that based upon an investigation by the Prospect Park Police Department, Veronika L. Callirgos, 35-years-old, from Prospect Park, New Jersey, was arrested on May 25, 2022 in connection to an incident that took place earlier that day in Prospect Park, New Jersey. Ms. Callirgos was charged with third degree Terroristic Threats and Harassment, a petty disorderly persons offense.
On May 25, 2022 Ms. Callirgos had a phone conversation with an administrator at Prospect Park School #1. During that conversation, Ms. Callirgos became irate and stated that she was going to go to the school and beat up the children. Ms. Callirgos also stated she was going to blow up the school. School Officials immediately notified the Prospect Park Police Department. Officers contacted Ms. Callirgos by phone and she voluntarily responded to Police Headquarters where she was charged without incident. Following her arrest, Ms. Callirgos was released pending further court proceedings.
The sentencing exposure on third degree Terroristic Threats is between three and five years in New Jersey State Prison; and the exposure on the petty disorderly persons offense of Harassment is up to 30 days in the county jail.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or contact the Prospect Park Police Department at (973) 790-7900.
For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Senior Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Kerrigan of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at [email protected] or at (973) 881-4870.

Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Prospect Park Police Chief Ammen Matari announce that based upon an investigation by the Prospect Park Police Department, Veronika L. Callirgos, 35-years-old, from Prospect Park, New Jersey, was arrested on May 25, 2022 in connection to an incident that took place earlier that day in Prospect Park, New Jersey. Ms. Callirgos was charged with third degree Terroristic Threats and Harassment, a petty disorderly persons offense.
On May 25, 2022 Ms. Callirgos had a phone conversation with an administrator at Prospect Park School #1. During that conversation, Ms. Callirgos became irate and stated that she was going to go to the school and beat up the children. Ms. Callirgos also stated she was going to blow up the school. School Officials immediately notified the Prospect Park Police Department. Officers contacted Ms. Callirgos by phone and she voluntarily responded to Police Headquarters where she was charged without incident. Following her arrest, Ms. Callirgos was released pending further court proceedings.
The sentencing exposure on third degree Terroristic Threats is between three and five years in New Jersey State Prison; and the exposure on the petty disorderly persons offense of Harassment is up to 30 days in the county jail.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or contact the Prospect Park Police Department at (973) 790-7900.
For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Senior Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Kerrigan of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at [email protected] or at (973) 881-4870.