In a disturbing turn of events, a man from Peru named Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos has been charged with sending over 150 hoax bomb threats to various public buildings in the United States. The US Justice Department announced that Mr. Nunez Santos, a 33-year-old website developer, was arrested in Lima on Tuesday in connection with the threats.
According to authorities, Mr. Nunez Santos posed as a teenage boy named “Lucas” and communicated with teenage girls on an online gaming platform. He allegedly requested explicit pictures from at least two girls, including a 15-year-old, and when they refused, he threatened to bomb their schools. These threats, made through emails, caused widespread panic and led to the evacuation and closure of schools, deployment of police forces, delayed flights, and even a lockdown of a hospital.
The first reports of emailed threats were received by the FBI on September 15, targeting public buildings in states like New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Arizona, and Alaska. During the Jewish New Year holiday Rosh Hashana, three synagogues in the New York area received bomb threats. One of the emails chillingly claimed that pipe bombs in the building would detonate within a few hours, putting innocent lives at risk. Additionally, several schools in Pennsylvania received threats, leading to the evacuation of more than 1,100 students across 20 different schools. Furthermore, airports, hospitals, and a shopping mall also became targets of these disturbing threats.
Investigators were able to trace the origin of the emails, phone numbers, and IP addresses connected to the bomb threats using Mr. Nunez Santos’ work email. The defendant now faces five charges, including sending threatening and hoax messages, attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and attempted receipt of child pornography.
US Attorney Damian Williams strongly condemned Mr. Nunez Santos’ actions in a statement, highlighting the immediate mobilization of law enforcement and the diversion of critical resources caused by his campaign of false bomb threats. It is believed that he engaged in these reprehensible acts as a twisted form of retaliation against teenage girls who refused to comply with his requests for explicit photographs.
While the motive for Mr. Nunez Santos’ disturbing behaviors may seem perplexing, this case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that come with online interactions. It underscores the need for increased caution and vigilance when engaging in online platforms, particularly for vulnerable individuals such as teenagers. Parents and guardians should make it a priority to educate and empower their children to recognize and report any suspicious or inappropriate online behavior.
Moreover, this incident highlights the significant disruption caused by false threats and the impact it has on communities. The swift response from law enforcement and the subsequent deployment of resources demonstrate the serious nature of such acts and the determination to ensure public safety.
In conclusion, the arrest of Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos for sending over 150 hoax bomb threats serves as a cautionary tale. It sheds light on the potential dangers of online interactions and emphasizes the need to educate and protect vulnerable individuals. It also brings attention to the significant disruption caused by false threats and the importance of swift and decisive action to maintain public safety.
