Venezuelan Man Charged with Threatening Newtowners after Sandy Hook Tragedy Due in Court

Wilfrido A. Cardenas Hoffman, 30, of El Hatillo, Venezuela is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to answer to charges of threatening Newtown families after the tragedy of 12/14.

NBC Connecticut News reports Cardenas Hoffman called 96 Newtown families after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office stated that Cardenas Hoffman identified himself to the families as the shooter, Adam Lanza, and threatened to kill them. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case and stated Cardenas Hoffman was arrested on June 21 at Miami International Airport. He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with making numerous threatening phone calls to residents of Newtown, Connecticut, on December 16, 2012, just two days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting tragedy that claimed 26 lives.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick said, “The motivation to catch criminals runs deep within the FBI, but the pursuit of criminals who prey on innocent victims motivates agents like nothing else.” 

“That someone can so callously prey on a community with such hate and vitriol is beyond comprehension. This arrest speaks to the unrelenting commitment and compassion for victims and their families and sends an important warning to those inclined to commit similar crimes. The FBI’s reach is exceptionally far and wide and equally enduring,” Ferrick said.

If convicted, Cardenas Hoffman could face a maximum prison term of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. 

To read the full article on NBC Connecticut News, click here.