Kentucky Teens Admit to Federal Cyberstalking Charge and Threats of School Violence

On Friday, two teens from Jessamine County in Kentucky pleaded guilty in federal, admitting that the pair posed as someone else on Snapchat to send a threat at district schools. One of the teens, Cody T. Ritchey, has accepted a plea agreement with federal prosecutors on a cyberstalking charge.

Ritchey, along with Tristan Kelly, who are both 19, created a profile on the social media app Snapchat in the name of an unknowing victim. The pair uploaded a series of posts suggesting that the victim would commit acts of violence at Jessamine County Public Schools, WKYT reports.

One of the photos included a picture of two assault rifles with the caption, “Which one should I use Monday Jessamine County?” Another photo included a picture of the victim pointing a handgun at the camera with the caption, “Jessamine County Schools, be ready Monday.”

Additional posts included one that said, “I’m getting more than 17 on God,” alluding the mass shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Flordia, in which a former student killed 17 people.

The two also used the fake profile to contact a person on Snapchat the victim had a prior relationship with. The defendants sent threatening messages to the person, demanding nude photos in exchange for being spared from a mass shooting.

Ritchey will face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000. He could also have a supervised release for up to three years.

Ritchey will be sentenced September 29 in Lexington. Kelly is expected to plead guilty as well.