Joseph Joel Morales-Serrano Arrested, Charged with Cyberbullying

SAN JUAN—On May 17, 2013, Joseph Joel Morales-Serrano was taken into custody by the FBI. Joseph Joel Morales-Serrano was charged with cyberbullying for transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce a communication containing a threat to injure the person of another.

A federal complaint states that on May 6, 2013, at approximately 11:31 p.m., Twitter moniker “Carlito anti Bhatia@leonidapr” wrote the following to Twitter moniker “Pedro Julio Serrano”: “cuidado en la marcha que puede terminar como en Boston pendejo.” This translates into English as “watch out during the demonstration it can end like in Boston, a—hole.”

On May 17, 2013, the FBI served a search warrant at Morales-Serrano’s residence located at Ramos Antonini Housing Project, Building 82, Apartment 845, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Morales-Serrano admitted that he was the owner of the Twitter account @leonidapr and that he frequently changes his Twitter accounts and personal e-mails. Thereafter, Morlaes-Serrano admitted that he made the aforementioned threat to Julio Serrano.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to a maximum of five years’ imprisonment for cyberbullying after transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce a communication containing a threat to injure the person of another.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke Cass, and is being investigated by FBI.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.