Puerto Rico District Attorney Stephen Muldrow, along with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Joseph González, shared the consequences of intimidating schools or peers on social media because “these are not jokes.”
“A threat to the safety of an individual or entity via social media, text message, or email is a federal crime because it constitutes a threat of interstate communications,” Muldrow said.
He insisted that those who publish or send them could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or tried in Puerto Rico courts.
Puerto Rican authorities on Wednesday charged 40-year-old Miguel Burgos whose 12-year-old son brought an automatic firearm to the República del Perú school in the capital’s Santurce sector, although he was released after posting bail.
Two minors were also questioned by the police after exchanging messages on the WhatsApp platform to cause “a sea of blood” in the university gardens and the Juan Jose Osuna high schools, both in this capital.
On Tuesday, a student at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez (west) warned that a building on campus was about to implode, prompting the mobilization of police officers who are experts in explosives.
The originator of the messages in this sense could be determined, but the authorities did not give details of the further course, since the person concerned suffered a panic attack.
“One reckless and impetuous comment on social media could result in our youth beginning their adult lives in prison and being labeled criminals for the rest of their lives,” said US Attorney Muldrow, stressing that “there is a need to… educate to avoid such dire consequences”.
González, meanwhile, said the FBI would follow up on any lead because public safety is its top priority.
“When it comes to threats to schools and other public places, our position is to treat them as if they are credible in order to keep the public safe,” he affirmed.
He insisted that they follow up on every lead and investigate each of these incidents.
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