EL CAJON, Calif. -- A Ramona High School senior accused of threatening to blow up his school last week pleaded not guilty Wednesday in an El Cajon courtroom, 10News reported.

Korey Flad, 19, had been enrolled in special education classes at Ramona High, and this school year was his second as a senior.

Flad was charged with making a terrorist or criminal threat, and deputies said he threatened to blow up Ramona High School with C-4 explosive and hand grenades.

A search of Flad's house turned up no weapons, authorities said.

Defense attorney Eric Chase said Flad "has never been in trouble before. This is an unfortunate situation where some people were picking on him in school and he made some unfortunate comments."

Flad was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate and was subjected to numerous surgeries throughout his childhood.

Flad's mother, Pam, wrote about his difficulties on a Web site paying tribute to Dr. Soona Jahina, the orthodontist who treated him and died this past spring.

"We are forever grateful for her determination and expertise as she cared for our son who was indeed one of those challenging cases," it said on the Web site.

One of Flad's friends, Erin Bjornsson, told 10News, "... because of his disability, he has been bullied a lot through the years. He has a bad temper, but his threats, as I've known him, are harmless. He's new to the school, and is probably having a hard time adjusting."

Bail was initially set at $1 million but was reduced Wednesday to $50,000 at the request of Deputy District Attorney Heather Trocha.

"I wouldn't say he's not a threat. However, in looking at the totality of the circumstances, right now we do believe that a nominal bail of $50,000 is more appropriate," said Trocha.

If freed, Flad is to stay 100 yards away from the school.

A conviction could send him to prison for three years.