Vernon Police Arrest Girl In CT Bomb Threat, Swatting Investigation

VERNON, CT — Vernon police Friday announced the arrest of a 17-year-old girl accused of taking part in a conspiracy to make several bomb threats and "swatting" calls to local schools, public venues and places of worship in Connecticut.

The arrest was made after a year-long investigation, police said.

The juvenile, whose name police cannot release because of state law, lives "locally," according to Vernon Police spokesman Lt. Robert Marra. Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said she does not attend public school in Vernon. The girl was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit threatening to a public school, first-degree conspiracy to commit a false incident report (a bomb threat) and second-degree conspiracy to commit breach of peace and referred to the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters-Rockville, police said.

Marra said he does not know if the girl will be prosecuted as an adult. Vernon had the most incidents in the state that involved the girl so the arrest was made locally, Marra said.

Working alongside the FBI, Connecticut State Police and Manchester, South Windsor and Ellington police, Vernon investigators determined that threats made to Vernon and Ellington schools; the Ellington Historical Society; places of worship in Vernon, Manchester and South Windsor; a library in Easton, and the Connecticut State Library were all connected and deemed non-credible, according to a news release.

One example was in Vernon the day before the Thanksgiving break during the previous school year. Police said they were alerted to a threatening e-mail sent to the school at about 7 a.m. Students were already in the building, but a member of the senior class said a fire alarm went off at about 7:30 a.m. to evacuate the building. It forced students out to a chilly drizzle while police arrived in force. Students were given the option to stay or go home after the building was deemed secure.

That incident triggered several other threats to the area until January of this year, Marra said.

Additionally, it was found that the juvenile was part of a violent online group that is responsible for thousands of threats and other crimes that have occurred "around the globe," according to a news release. The group, known as "764," also targets minors on "publicly available" messaging and gaming platforms like 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, according to a news release.

"The groups use threats, blackmail, and manipulation to control the victims into recording or live-streaming these acts," police said. "The footage is then circulated among members to extort victims further and exert control over them. The group also uses the tactics of swatting and doxing the victims as a means of extortion."

Vernon police Friday were encouraging parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activity closely, and educate themselves on "groups like 764."

Police added, "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."

Macary issued a statement to parents in his district.

He said, "The safety & security of our students and staff is our top priority. Special thanks to the Vernon Police Department for its diligence and support in keeping our community and schools safe. For more information on these types of crimes impacting our schools and communities, please check out the FBI website at: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2023/PSA230912. Please note that this individual is not in any of the Vernon schools. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation."

Marra said the diligence will not slack off.

"Parents need to be vigilant about what programs their kids are using, because that is where all of this started," he said. "I will also say to anyone who wants to act in this manner that we will find you."

The case remains an open investigation, police said, and anyone with information, questions or concerns can contact Det. Thomas Van Tasel at 860-872-9126 ext. 3767 or tvantasel@vernon-ct.gov.