Miami man pleads guilty to threatening to murder attendees at New Jersey prom.
A man from Florida has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to sending threatening messages via social media, targeting attendees of a high school prom in New Jersey. Onil Compres Rodriguez, a 21-year-old resident of Miami, was apprehended last year after law enforcement agencies were alerted to a series of alarming threats disseminated through direct messaging.
The threats, which surfaced in April 2023, reportedly included ominous warnings directed at individuals associated with New Jersey schools. In a statement released by federal prosecutors, it was revealed that Compres Rodriguez used graphic language in his messages, cautioning recipients to “wear your bulletproof vests [because] there will be a lot of blood.” He also included statements implying personal grievances, such as “They should never have hurt me” and “They don’t know who they messed with.”
Notably, one of Compres Rodriguez’s messages featured two photographs: the first displayed an invitation to a high school prom scheduled for May 2, 2024, while the second showcased several firearms alongside ammunition, intensifying concerns regarding the nature of his threats.
Following the reporting of these messages, investigators discovered that Compres Rodriguez had proceeded to book a flight from Miami to Newark, coinciding with the date of the prom. Law enforcement apprehended him shortly after his arrival at Newark Liberty Airport.
In a plea hearing earlier this week conducted in Miami Federal Court, Compres Rodriguez formally admitted to charges of transmitting interstate threats. As a result of this felony offense, he could face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
While the prosecution has not disclosed specific details regarding the targeted schools, nor has it clarified Compres Rodriguez’s connection to New Jersey, the case underscores the growing concern surrounding threats made in the digital age. The upcoming sentencing is scheduled for June 25, marking a critical moment for both the defendant and the broader community affected by these troubling events.
This incident highlights the need for vigilance in monitoring online communications, particularly those that may carry threatening implications, as authorities continue to address the challenges posed by digital threats in today’s society.
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