Arrest Made In Plainfield Cyber-Threat Case

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler says the suspect used what is known as “sextortion” – getting sexually explicit images from a victim through threats of violence. (Photo by Drew Daudelin)

Police and federal officials Monday announced an arrest has been made in a two-year-old case out of Plainfield.

Twenty-six-year-old Buster Hernandez, from Bakersfield, California, has been charged with threats to use an explosive device, threats to injure, and sexual exploitation of a child.

FBI investigators believe Hernandez was behind online threats made in at least 10 federal districts.

Officers say he used Facebook to communicate with three victims in the Plainfield area, culminating in violent threats that prompted Plainfield High School and Danville High School to temporarily close in 2015.

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler says the suspect used what is known as “sextortion” – getting sexually explicit images from a victim through threats of violence.

“These are not, as some would believe, sexual crimes. They have nothing to do with sex. They have to do with violence, and control,” Minkler says.

Minkler says the suspect used sophisticated computer software to evade police.

If convicted, Hernandez would face a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.