Sentencing in Hoax Threat

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Cristobal Fernando Gonzalez was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego to Making Threatening Communications, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c). Gonzalez appeared today before United States District Court Judge William Q. Hayes, who sentenced Gonzalez to six-months custody and a $1500.00 fine. Judge Hayes also sentenced Gonzalez to serve a 3-year term of supervised release, perform 150 hours of community service, and complete a business ethics course.

As part of his statement to the Court, Gonzalez admitted that on April 17, 2007, he posted a threat on the website www.creepyconfessions. Specifically, Gonzalez' posting stated:
Apr 17, 07- Hungry for sheep... I'm sick and tired of this world. People are stupid and pathetic sheep. Jesus said you were all sheep. I am the wolf. I am hungry! With my colt I'll ride to school on Thursday morning and save 50 of your pathetic souls... like my brethen (sic) did yesterday! MOCK (sic) MY WORDS! You will know the sign for it will be written on the wall with blood! I am the son of man.... I will have my vengence (sic). Warning to all SDSU students! Gonzalez said that the threat was meant to be a hoax. Gonzalez further admitted that he posted the hoax threat shortly after the shootings that occurred at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, intending to draw attention to his website business.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Skerlos, who is prosecuting the case, upon learning of the threat, the SDSU Police Department immediately notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Gonzalez was subsequently interviewed by law enforcement agents and arrested.
United States Attorney Hewitt stated, "We take threatening communications of this kine very
seriously. The court's sentence punishes the defendant and also provides a strong deterrent to anyone else in the community who may consider such conduct in the future."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter commented, "Today's sentencing should speak strongly to others who may be contemplating waging similar threats. The FBI will aggressively pursue those who instill fear in our community, regardless of their intentions."

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