Bristol Man Charged with Interstate Threatening and Stalking Offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould today announced that DENNIS JOHN HERNANDEZ, also known as “DJ Hernandez” and “Jonathan Hernandez,” 37, of Bristol, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with interstate threatening and stalking offenses.

As alleged in the complaint, on July 6 and 7, 2023, Hernandez communicated with an individual via Facebook Messenger and made multiple statements threatening to carry out a shooting incident at UConn.  The statements included “I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything  And don’t give a f--- who gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve died for years now and now it’s others people 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.”

It is alleged that Hernandez’s vehicle was identified on UConn’s campus on July 7.

The complaint also alleges that, on July 18 and 19, 2023, Hernandez made multiple Facebook posts threatening to harm or kill three individuals who reside out of state.  In addition, on July 19, in a conversation via text message with one of the victims, Hernandez stated “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.”

The complaint charges Hernandez with transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure, and with interstate stalking.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Hernandez has been detained in state custody on related charges since July 19.  He appeared this afternoon Hartford federal court.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bristol Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.