By Laura Bailey
HARTFORD— Dennis John Hernandez, also known as “DJ Hernandez” and “Jonathan Hernandez,” 38, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making interstate threats. Hernandez waived his right to be indicted and entered his plea before Judge Sarala V. Nagala.
According to court documents, Hernandez made multiple threatening statements over Facebook Messenger on July 6 and 7, 2023. In the messages, he threatened to carry out a shooting at the University of Connecticut (UConn).
“I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything,” Hernandez wrote. “And don’t give a f— who gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve died for years now and now it’s others people’s turn. I’m prepared to give my life. So if I don’t get to see you on the outside know I love you always. Not all shootings are bad I’m realizing. Some are necessary for change to happen.”
Court documents also allege that Hernandez’s vehicle was identified on UConn’s campus on July 7, 2023, following his threats.
In addition to the threats related to UConn, Hernandez made several Facebook posts on July 18 and 19, 2023, threatening harm to three individuals living out of state, including a state court judge.
On July 19, during a text conversation with one of the victims, Hernandez further threatened;
“We’re taking lives if s— isn’t paid up. It’s been years in planning just taking notes, names and locations. They talked their way into this and it’s almost point game. I know we don’t play in my family. If we have to take lives or buildings we will. So just letting you know so you can be prepared for a media circus one way or another.”
Hernandez pleaded guilty to transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Judge Nagala scheduled Hernandez’s sentencing for February 6, 2025.
Hernandez has been in custody since his arrest on related state charges on July 19, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bristol Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
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