On Sunday, August 17, 2014, at approximately 8:00 pm Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Deputies received a call from a concerned resident reporting that possible threatening posts had once again been made on Instagram. The caller was concerned in light of recent social media activities where a teenager was arrested for posting threats to high school students online.
Deputies and detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Station C.O.B.R.A. (Career Offenders Burglary Robbery Apprehension) Team immediately began an investigation. Deputies learned the caller was referring to one single Instagram post, posted by a local Canyon High School student. The post appeared to be a screen shot of a text message conversation that took place between the Canyon High School student and an unknown person. The text conversation included comments regarding school violence. A screen shot of the conversation was then posted on Instagram by the Canyon High School student.
Deputies interviewed the student and learned the student received the text from an unknown phone number and began engaging in a text message conversation with an unknown person. Not knowing who he was speaking to, the student decided to post a screen shot on his Instagram account instead of contacting law enforcement.
As the investigation progressed, detectives learned the unknown text message sender allegedly used an application (app) allowing him to send free text messages via the internet. The application allows users to receive a new phone number and send texts for free.
Through their investigation, detectives learned the identity of the text sender who initiated the text conversation and talks of school violence. The sender was identified as a 13-year-old Canyon High School student who was apparently friends with the other Canyon High School student, who received the text messages. Based on statements made by the suspect (13-year-old male), it appears he sent the text messages to get a reaction from his friend and as a practical joke. The suspect realized too late that the threats were being taken seriously, and his friend had posted them on Instagram.
The suspect was taken into custody and will be released into the custody of the Los Angeles County Probation Department.
THIS INCIDENT IS IN NO WAY RELATED TO THE ARREST MADE ON AUGUST 17, 2014 FOR THREATS MADE ON INSTAGRAM - https://local.nixle.com/alert/5251794/
Santa Clarita Valley Station would like to remind all those who use social media to do so with care. Parents should have an open dialog with their teenagers about the ramifications of posting photos and statements which might constitute a crime or cause other issues. Help your child use social media safely:
- Establish guidelines with your child before allowing him or her to use social media such as reviewing your child’s posts before posting.
- Ensure your child is using privacy settings.
- Caution your child about the dangers of posting inappropriate or provocative information or images. Once something is posted online, it cannot be taken back.
- Encourage your child to come to you if anything on a blog site or social media makes him or her feel uncomfortable.
Written By:
Deputy Joshua Dubin
[email protected]
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
661-255-1121 EXT 5802
Twitter@SCVSheriff http://www.twitter.com/scvsheriff
Instagram SCV Station Photos: http://instagram.com/SCVSheriff
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SantaClaritaValleyStation
Website: http://www.santaclarta.lasd.org
LASD- Santa Clarita Valley Station-Los Angeles County Sheriff
23740 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
