An Instagram comment targeting a Pajaro Valley Unified School District graduation ended with a 21-year-old Watsonville man in handcuffs yesterday, according to police. Investigators say the suspect later admitted he posted the threat to rage-bait the community, and officers reported finding no firearms when they served a search warrant.
Investigation and arrest
According to CBS News, the investigation began May 9 after an alert resident reported the online post to Watsonville police. Detectives and the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team later served a warrant and arrested 21-year-old Moises Resendiz on suspicion of making criminal threats. Jail records show he remains in custody on $50,000 bail.
Search warrant and scene
KSBW reports officers executed the warrant on the 700 block of Rodriguez Street, where Resendiz was taken into custody. Police told the station they did not find any firearms and said there are no guns registered to Resendiz.
District response
The Pajaronian reports PVUSD officials called student safety their top priority and said they plan a heightened security presence as graduations approach. PVUSD spokesman Alejandro Chavez thanked the resident who reported the post and said staff are reviewing security at all ceremonies.
Charges and legal context
CBS News reports Resendiz was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, a felony, and that prosecutors will evaluate the investigation. Under California law, Penal Code §422 makes it a crime to willfully threaten to commit an act that could cause death or great bodily injury, including by electronic communication, even if the speaker claims no intent to carry it out, according to California law.
What comes next
PVUSD is scheduled to hold more than 30 promotions and graduations beginning next week, and officials told KSBW the arrest is intended to reassure families that there is no active threat. Police urged community members to report threatening posts so investigators can follow up, and a court date in the case has not yet been announced.
