World
Man arrested on suspicion of making 150 bomb threats against US Jewish institutions
One message prompted the evacuation of 1,100 students from 20 schools in Pennsylvania
September 29, 2023 12:55
One message prompted the evacuation of 1,100 students from 20 schools in Pennsylvania
September 29, 2023 12:55Peruvian police have arrested a man on suspicion of making bomb threats against 150 US Jewish institutions during the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos is accused of making the threats to schools, synagogues, hospitals and airports. These threats triggered evacuations and flight delays.
The US Department for Justice said the alleged threats, conveyed by email, were directed at targets in New York City as well as in Alaska, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Arizona.
One threat prompted the evacuation of 1,100 students from 20 schools in Pennsylvania, US authorities said. The threat cited by prosecutors read: "I placed multiple bombs in all of the schools from your School Districts.
“The bombs will blow up in a few hours. I'll gladly smile when your families are crying because of your deaths."
A spokesperson for the department said all the threats Santos allegedly made proved to be hoaxes. They added that Santos’ motive in some cases was to get youths to send him sexually explicit photos, or he would set off bombs.
US Attorney Damian Williams said the alleged threats "caused an immediate mobilisation by federal and state authorities, diverting critical law enforcement and public safety resources, and caused fear in hundreds of communities across this country.”
The eight-page indictment charges Santos with two felony counts related to messages he is accused of sending to multiple people in New York - making threatening interstate communications and perpetrating a hoax. Each carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Santos, 33 of Lima in Peru, was also charged with attempted sexual exploitation of a child, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted receipt of child pornography.
Those charges, for which he could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, stem from his attempt at persuading a 15-year-old girl in New York to send him sexually explicit photos.
Santos faces extradition to the United States under the New York City federal indictment.