MURPHSYBORO -The former Murphysboro High school student charged with threatening the school's April prom was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections and agreed to participate in the department's Impact Incarceration Program.

Shane Bramlett, 18, of Ava consented to Jackson County Judge W. Charles Grace's recommendation for the program, which he described to Bramlett as "a 120 day period of cracking a whip over you." The department must approve court referred offenders to the program, which lasts from 120 to 180 days and is targeted toward offenders between the ages of 17 and 35.

If Bramlett is successful in the program, he would be released. If not, he would serve a 30-month prison sentence with his 146 days of jail time credited. Grace also ordered a period of one year mandatory supervised release.

The sentence stems from the April 28 arrest of Bramlett, who was charged with making a terrorist threat, intimidation, harassment by telephone and violating an order of protection after threatening to shoot people at the prom.

Jackson County State's Attorney Mike Wepsiec decided not to prosecute two of the charges and Bramlett pleaded guilty in August to the charges of intimidation, a class A misdemeanor, and violating an order of protection, a Class 3 felony could be punishable with a two to five year prison sentence.

Bramlett's family members described the incident as a love triangle involving a boy threatening another boy over a girl. The girl in this case was Bramlett's ex-girlfriend, Casey Rushing, who along with her mother, Tina, of Gorham, testified at Thursday's sentencing hearing.

Rushing told the judge that Bramlett's actions have made her scared for her life, adding that she feels "like I have to have eyes in the back of my head."

In addition to Rushing's testimony, Jackson County Public Defender Patricia Gross called Bramlett's uncle, Tommy Stowers, to the stand. He told the judge once Bramlett is released, he would live with him, follow a curfew, attend church and get a job to help pay the bills.

After the sentencing hearing, Grace wished a shackled Bramlett good luck in life, adding "I hope you make something of yourself." Bramlett appeared to wipe a tear from his eye as he folded court papers before being escorted back to the Jackson County Jail, where he will remain until he is taken into IDOC's custody.