Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
Dennis John Hernandez, also known as DJ Hernandez and Jonathan Hernandez, was sentenced to approximately 18 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for making interstate threats. The sentencing was announced by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and delivered by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford.
Court documents reveal that on July 6 and 7, 2023, Hernandez communicated via Facebook Messenger with an individual, making multiple threats to carry out a shooting at UConn. His statements included: “I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything And don’t give a f--- who gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve died for years now and now it’s others people turn. I’m prepared to give my life. So if I don’t get to see you on the outside know I love you always Not all shootings are bad I’m realizing. Some are necessary for change to happen.”
Hernandez's vehicle was reportedly identified on UConn’s campus on July 7.
Further threats were made by Hernandez on July 18 and 19, 2023, through Facebook posts targeting three individuals residing out of state, including a state court judge. On July 19, he sent a text message stating: “We’re taking lives if s--- isn’t paid up. It’s been years in planning just taking notes, names and locations. They talked their way into this and it’s almost point game. I know we don’t play in my family. If we have to take lives or buildings we will. So just letting you know so you can be prepared for a media circus one way or another.”
Hernandez has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on July 19, 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 18, 2024, to transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure.
As part of his supervised release conditions, Hernandez must undergo mental health and substance abuse treatment while allowing monitoring of his electronic devices by the U.S. Probation Office. He is also prohibited from visiting UConn and other targeted locations.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bristol Police Department, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
