BU Law Student Accused of Threatening Others Over $20K Tuition Debt

A Boston University Law Student Faces Charges for Alleged Threats

A Boston University law student has been arraigned on charges of threatening students and staff at the school. The incident, which began in January, involves 29-year-old Maximillien Sajous, who was reportedly informed that he owed $20,000 in tuition. Prosecutors stated that Sajous had issues with this debt, leading to a series of alarming actions.

Emails Containing Threats

Sajous sent approximately 200 emails to the university, many of which included threats. According to court documents, Boston University reached out to Sajous regarding his mental health but did not receive a response. This lack of communication raised concerns among university officials.

Instagram Posts and Alleged Behavior

On March 22, Sajous allegedly posted a series of photos on Instagram Stories. These images included Nickerson Field at Boston University, a sharpshooter range in Virginia, and a screenshot from the movie "Boyz N the Hood," which depicted a drive-by shooting. Prosecutors claimed that Sajous also trespassed on BU properties.

The university requested a wellness check at Sajous' residence in Chelsea, but he was not home. Police noted a large pile of mail, suggesting he had not been there in some time. Neighbors described him as reclusive and mentioned a strong smell of marijuana coming from his unit.

Email to University Officials

On April 23, Sajous sent emails to several BU officials, including Dean of Students Jason Campbell-Foster and Associate Dean Geraldine Muir, at 12:12 a.m. EST. The email reportedly contained the following message:

• "If you see any report that I killed myself, I most definitely did not. If you see any report that I overdosed, I most definitely did not. If you see a report that I killed anyone else, such as Gerry Muir.... Jason Campbell-Foster, ....or others, I most definitely did not."

Boston University Police located Sajous using his cellphone, which showed he was in Hong Kong at the time. That same day, he allegedly called the university and asked to speak to Campbell-Foster, who was unavailable. He then inquired if the dean was home or on campus but refused to leave a message or speak to anyone else.

Further Alleged Actions

Sajous allegedly emailed Muir with a screenshot of an apartment complex and apartment number where he believed she lived. Muir reported this to the police, stating she feared for her safety. She also mentioned that Sajous had previously tried to contact her brother.

He posted another set of photos on Instagram, featuring Dean Campbell-Foster with his husband and child alongside a throwing-up emoji. Additionally, he shared a Google search asking if Luigi Mangione was a hero and an image of a target practice geo-tagged as Brookline.

Sajous also allegedly posted a criminal record for another man, Jason Campbell-Foster, with the text "Jason, you will learn to never mess with a Sajous in your life...." and tagged Boston University, "This is who ya'll hired?"

Defense and Arrest

Sajous' attorney argued that there is not enough evidence to suggest that he made those posts. However, prosecutors claim that Sajous traveled from China to Paris, France, where he sought help from the U.S. Embassy to fly back to Boston due to financial difficulties. He was arrested at Logan Airport after returning from Paris.

Prosecutors emphasized the disturbing level of detail in the harassment campaign. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden stated, "We have too often seen the results when situations like this are not treated with the seriousness they deserve, and that was certainly not the case here."

Charges and Impact on Campus

Sajous has been charged with two counts of stalking, threatening to commit a crime, making a bomb or hijack threat, and criminal harassment. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 21.

Students expressed concern about the events unfolding ahead of graduation weekend. They noted an increase in police presence, including bomb sniffing dogs. One student remarked, "It's unreal to some degree." Another said, "I'm maybe still just a little bit in shock about the fact that that was happening and I didn't know."

Rachel Cavallario, spokesperson for Boston University, stated that the university's police department has been working closely with local and federal law enforcement. "We are grateful for their collaboration and for the effectiveness of our coordinated response," Cavallario said. "The University remains steadfast in its commitment to a safe, secure and supportive campus environment for all."