Dennis Hernandez Sentenced for Threats Amid Mental Health Struggles
In Hartford, Connecticut, Dennis Hernandez, the brother of the deceased New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, which he has already completed, for making threats related to a potential shooting at the University of Connecticut (UConn). Additionally, he threatened to kill three individuals, including a judge, impacting the legal landscape leading into 2023.
Dennis, age 38, known by the nickname “DJ” during his playing days as a quarterback and wide receiver for UConn in the mid-2000s, faced severe mental health challenges when the threats were made. His public defender, Josh Ewing, informed the court that Dennis has since been receiving adequate treatment and is on medication to address these issues.
U.S. District Judge Sarala Nagala imposed a three-year supervised release period on Dennis Hernandez, underscoring the necessity for ongoing mental health and substance abuse treatment. As part of the sentencing, he is required to allow probation officials to monitor his electronic communications and maintain distance from UConn and other locations where threats were issued. Reports have indicated that Dennis was released from custody shortly after the court proceedings concluded.
Due to the ongoing federal case, it is anticipated that various state criminal charges filed in Connecticut and Florida—one of which involved throwing a brick with an accusatory note directed at ESPN headquarters—may be dropped. Ewing noted that these incidents occurred during the same mental health crisis that led to his client’s current legal troubles.
In statements made during the court session, Dennis Hernandez expressed regret for his actions, recognizing the fear he instilled in others. He previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge for threatening interstate communications last December.
Details from police reports indicate that in July 2023, Hernandez drove to both UConn and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he had strived to be a quarterbacks coach, to plan out potential attacks. At the time, Hernandez was experiencing financial difficulties and felt overlooked compared to peers who were being hired in coaching positions.
During the same month, prosecutors reported that Hernandez published several threatening messages on Facebook targeting individuals residing in different states, including a state judge. His mother, Terri Hernandez, informed authorities that her son was battling significant mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Ultimately, police apprehended him after he emerged from his sister’s home, expressing suicidal tendencies and making aggressive threats.
In light of the family’s support, many relatives and friends penned letters to the judge advocating for Dennis’s release from custody based on his mental health challenges and their commitment to aiding his recovery.
