Former 'Catfish' Subject Faces Metro Terror Threat Charges: Feds

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A man loathed by viewers of the MTV show “Catfish” for posing as a bogus rap artist is now facing federal charges of making up terror threats from a planned ambush of a presidential motorcade to a supposed hostage-taking on a Metro bus.

Metro Transit Police detectives on Wednesday arrested Jerez Nehemiah Stone-Coleman, 20, – also known as Kidd Cole from the MTV Show “Catfish” -- on charges of making terroristic threats against Metro stations, buses and trains in the Washington, D.C., area.

Stone-Coleman was arrested by MTPD officers and detectives at his residence in the 1600 block of Fort Davis Place, SE, in Washington, D.C.

According to the criminal complaint in United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Stone-Coleman is alleged to have “knowingly [conveyed] false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt to engage in terrorist attacks or other violence against mass transportation systems” in violation of federal law.

Between Dec. 12, 2014, and May 12, 2015, the Metro Transit Police Communications Division received 11 telephone calls to 911 reporting bomb threats or hostage situations at or directed against Metro stations, trains and buses. Each report prompted an emergency response by Metro Transit Police and in some cases other law enforcement agencies. The threat information provided in each of the 911 calls turned out to be “wholly false,” according to the court documents, and authorities say Stone-Coleman was the caller behind the bogus alerts.

Among the false threats he reportedly made:

• On Jan. 20, 2015, the caller claimed people from France told him they planned to ambush the President’s motorcade and assassinate him that night. The caller also said the would-be assailants placed bombs around the Potomac Avenue Metro station, and planned to kill a police officer. On January 22, 2015, the caller stated that he and his friends were planning to take hostages on Metrobus 6149 and that they would kill the hostages if they were not paid a $15 million ransom.
• In the last two months, authorities claim Stone-Coleman made three separate calls claiming that there was a bomb at the White House, and that someone planned to blow up a bus at the Potomac Avenue Metro station and the McPherson Square Metro station.

Investigators say they used cellular phone records, digital video surveillance from stations and buses, and telephone audio to identify Stone-Coleman. A warrant for his arrest was issued on Tuesday.

“We have no greater responsibility than protecting Metro’s customers and employees,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Ron Pavlik. “This case demonstrates the seriousness with which we take all threats and the lengths to which we will go to bring those responsible to justice.”

In May 2014, Stone-Coleman appeared as “Kidd Cole” in the reality show “Catfish,” a show that documents people who – according to the show’s website – “pretend to be someone [they’re] not by posting false information, such as someone else’s pictures, on social media sites usually with the intention of getting someone to fall in love with you.”

The entertainment website Bustle says the Kidd Cole character pretended to have ties to rap star Kanye West, using that claim to land bookings. The hoax led to an event at Virginia Commonwealth University where the school expected Big Sean to perform, but instead Kidd Cole appeared. School officials were so unhappy at the switch that they sued Stone-Coleman, the website says.

Fallout from the VCU event led to Stone-Coleman being charged with identity theft and fraud, the Richmond Times-Dispatch report. As part of the court proceedings a year ago he was ordered to undergo a mental health screening.

»Photo of Jerez Nehemiah Stone-Coleman, also known as Kidd Cole from the MTV Show “Catfish”, courtesy of Metro Transit Police