Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Threats of Violence
Hartford, Connecticut – Dennis Hernandez, brother of the late New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez, entered a guilty plea on Wednesday concerning threats he made to commit a shooting at the University of Connecticut, as well as threats against three individuals outside the state, including a judge, according to federal prosecutors.
The 38-year-old, who was known as “DJ” during his college football days at UConn in the mid-2000s, appeared before a federal court in Hartford, admitting to charges of transmitting interstate communications containing threats to inflict harm. This offense can lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for February 6.
His public defense attorney did not respond immediately to requests for comment. A member of the Hernandez family also refrained from providing any statements when approached.
During the time of his arrest in Bristol last year, Dennis’s mother, Terri Hernandez, informed police about her son’s declining mental health issues, which included bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. According to reports, Dennis was subdued with a stun gun after he emerged from a relative’s home, allegedly raising his arms and shouting to the officers while threatening them.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Hernandez made a menacing post on Facebook in July 2023, in which he threatened a shooting at the main UConn campus located in Storrs. He was quoted as saying, “I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything,” adding, “And don’t give a (expletive) who gets caught in the crossfire.” He conveyed feelings of despair and a willingness to sacrifice his life, suggesting that “not all shootings are bad.”
Court documents indicated that Hernandez faced financial struggles, was seething over witnessing others being appointed to coaching positions, and felt a sense of entitlement regarding his football career at UConn, where he played both quarterback and wide receiver.
Law enforcement noted that he had driven to UConn and Brown University, where he had previously worked as a quarterbacks coach, to scout locations for the potential shooting.
In addition, prosecutors reported that Hernandez made several threatening posts on Facebook in July 2023, targeting individuals outside Connecticut, including a state court judge.
He also has unresolved charges pending in Connecticut state court related to an incident outside ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol. In March 2023, he was charged with misdemeanor breach of peace after allegedly tossing a bag containing a brick and a note onto the property of ESPN.
The note addressed to media outlets expressed Hernandez’s frustration with individuals he believed were exploiting the death of his brother, Aaron. The younger Hernandez took his own life in 2017 while serving a prison sentence for murder.
