Buster Hernandez, aka “Brian Kil,” and “Purge of Maine” charged in nation-wide cyber sextortion and threat case
Alleged to have extorted and made death threats to minor victims around the country-Victims are urged to contact law enforcement if threats were made
PRESS RELEASE:
Indianapolis –A Bakersfield, California, man was recently charged in the Southern District of Indiana for making cyber threats to young woman in a suburb of Indianapolis. He is also believed to have made similar threats to other teenagers around the country in as many as ten states, including Maine. Buster Hernandez, 26, a/k/a Brian Kil, a/k/a Purge of Maine, was charged with threats to use an explosive device, threats to injure and sexual exploitation of a child.
“Terrorizing young victims through the use of social media and hiding behind the anonymity of the Internet will not be tolerated by this office,” said Minkler. “Those who think they can outwit law enforcement and are above being caught should think again. Mr. Hernandez’s reign of terror is over.”
According to court documents, the Brownsburg Police Department contacted the FBI in December 2015, asking for assistance with a cyber-threat case involving a minor female victim (Victim 1), a resident of Plainfield Indiana. The threats came from a person known only at the time as “Brian Kil” who used Facebook to communicate with Victim 1 to extort sexually explicit pictures from her. This pattern continued for approximately 16 months with Victim 1 sending sexually explicit images of herself under threat by “Brian Kil.” This technique is commonly referred to as “sextortion.”
When Victim 1 refused to provide additional images as demanded, Hernandez is alleged to have made physical threats to Victim 1, stating “I am coming for you. I will slaughter your entire class and save you for last.” He further made threats to law enforcement saying, “I will add a dozen dead police to my tally…Try me pigs, I will finish you off as well.” These threats caused school administrators to close the Plainfield and Danville High Schools. The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield was also closed December 19, 2015, but reopened the following day after law enforcement insured there were no credible threats.
Hernandez is also alleged to have sexually exploited and threatened two other minor victims (Victims 2 and 3). When Victim 2 stopped complying with Hernandez’s demands, he posted sexually explicit images and videos of Victim 2 that she sent to Hernandez against her will. According to the complaint affidavit, Hernandez asked Victim 3 to attend a community forum held in Plainfield, Indiana, and record law enforcement’s statements about the investigation into “Brian Kil.”
In addition, Hernandez is alleged to have “sextorted” a number of victims in at least 10 federal districts.
“This was a unique and complex investigation that highlights the tenacity, perseverance, expertise and dedication of the FBI Indianapolis’ Crimes Against Children Task Force and was a top priority. Innovative techniques were utilized, solutions to roadblocks created and partnerships with key private sector partners were developed,” said W. Jay Abbott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “I stood in front of concerned parents and community members and told them we would find the person who had been victimizing these young girls and, with the tireless work of our agents and partners, we never gave up.”
Hernandez had his initial appearance in the Eastern District of California on Friday, August 4, 2017. He will appeared before a magistrate judge in Indianapolis at 3pm Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017.
This investigation was jointly conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Plainfield Police Department and the Brownsburg Police Department.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said, “I have no doubt Buster Hernandez had forgotten all about Plainfield, Indiana and the terror he inflicted; but none of us here forgot.” Carter concluded, “We said we’d keep looking until we found you, and we did.”
