Police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with an investigation into numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents reported at schools, libraries and places of worship across Connecticut.
Detectives allegedly found that the teen was linked to a “violent online group” known to extort children into live-streaming acts of self-harm, child sex abuse, animal cruelty, murder and other violent acts, according to Lt. Robert Marra of the Vernon Police Department said Friday.
Following a year-long investigation involving numerous police agencies, the teen was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree threatening of a public school, conspiracy to commit first-degree falsely reporting an incident (bomb threat) and conspiracy to commit second-degree breach of peace, Marra said on Friday.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified because of their age, was referred to Juvenile Court in Rockville, Marra said.
According to Marra, Vernon police worked alongside police departments in Manchester, Ellington and South Windsor as well as the FBI and Connecticut State Police. The agencies collaborated to investigate threats made to schools in Vernon and Ellington, places of worship in Vernon, Manchester and South Windsor, a library in Easton, the Ellington Historical Society and the Connecticut State Library.
Marra said authorities found that all the threats, which were found to not be credible, were connected. The teen who was charged was found to have been part of what police described as a “violent online group that is responsible for thousands of threats and other crimes that have occurred around the globe,” according to Marra.
The group, known as “764”, targets children on public messaging and gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord to extort them into recording or live-streaming acts of “self-harm, producing child sex abuse material, harming animals, murder or other violent acts,” Marra said.
“These groups use threats, blackmail and manipulation to control the victims into recording or live-streaming these acts; the footage is then circulated among members to extort victims further and exert control over them,” Marra said. “The group also uses the tactics of ‘swatting’ and ‘doxing’ the victims as a means of extortion.”
“This was outstanding police work on a variety of levels,” state Sen. Jeff Gordon, whose district includes Vernon, said in a statement Friday. “I commend Vernon police who worked tirelessly for many months alongside federal, state and local law enforcement in order to make this arrest.”
“We have no tolerance for these acts which terrorize our communities,” Gordon continued. “Let this arrest send a clear message to anyone who even thinks of making future threats. You will be caught. You will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. You will be punished.”
Marra said police are encouraging parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activity “closely” and educate them about groups like “764.”
“Additionally, understand the following warning signs of self-harm or suicide including: sudden behavior changes such as becoming withdrawn, moody or irritable; sudden changes in appearance, especially neglect of appearance; changes in eating or sleeping habits; dropping out of activities and becoming more isolated and withdrawn; scars, often in patterns; fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks, burns or other wounds; carvings, such as words or symbols on the skin; wearing long sleeves or pants in hot weather,” Marra said.
Police are still investigating the numerous threats and are asking anyone with information to contact Vernon Det. Thomas Van Tasel at 860-872-9126, ext. 3767, or tvantasel@vernon-ct.gov .
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