Aaron Hernandez's older brother Dennis Hernandez is facing charges on the federal level in connection to alleged threats he made to someone about conducting a shooting at the University of Connecticut.
According to NBC News, Hernandez appeared in Hartford federal court on Friday and was ordered to be held in custody under new charges of transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure and interstate stalking. Hernandez is scheduled to appear in Superior Court on Tuesday, and each charge carries a maximum of five years in prison.
The new set of charges come after the former UConn quarterback was arrested on July 18 on state charges when two people close to him called police after having concerns over the 37-year-old's mental health.
The arrest report stated that once police arrived at his home in Bristol, Connecticut, Hernandez reportedly demanded the officers shoot him. He was detained with a stun gun and, on his way to the hospital, claimed he would kill anyone who made money off of his late brother.
The report also claimed Hernandez sent messages that referenced him carrying out a shooting at the University of Connecticut and Brown University. According to federal prosecutors, one of the messages read, "I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I'm taking down everything And don't give a fuck who gets caught in the crossfire."
The message continued, "I've died for years now and now it's others people turn. I'm prepared to give my life. So if I don't get to see you on the outside know I love you always Not all shootings are bad I'm realizing. Some are necessary for change to happen."
Federal prosecutors also stated that Hernandez took to Facebook and shared posts that said he was going to kill three people who live out of state and sent a text message to one of the victims.
Earlier this month, Hernandez was scheduled to appear in court on a charge stemming from the brick-throwing incident at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, in the spring. However, Hernandez never showed up, and a judge issued an order for his arrest.
