Using Facebook to convey a warning of possible violence against a local community of Pokemon players, a 29-year-old Texas man named Nathan Cerda posted that he was planning to “purge” anyone attending Pokemon Go events or simply walking around collecting Pokemon. Detailed in the police’s press release, Cerda indicated that he was going to use modified paintball guns to shoot at people searching for Pokemon.
Utilizing an extremely limited amount of eloquence, Cerda specifically wrote “Warning……All u Pokemon Go people tomorrow me and some friends are taking out our modified paintball guns and we gonna Purge. And I know you stupid people are walking all over the place looking at the phone trying to find these Pokemon. Tomorrow we are going to be everywhere so be aware of your surroundings.” Cerda also mentioned his sister would be joining him before proceeding to like his own Facebook comment.
After being alerted to the threat posted on Facebook, the Harlingen Police Department opened a criminal investigation into Cerda and issued a warrant for his arrest on the charge of making a terroristic threat.
With the help of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, McAllen Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, the authorities were able to locate and arrest Cerda yesterday prior to him assaulting anyone at the Pokemon Go event.
Of course, this isn’t the first time that Cerda has been arrested or prosecuted for breaking the law. Cerda is currently a registered sex offender in Texas, specifically on the charge of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. After being transported to the Harlingen Police Department yesterday, Cerda is now waiting in jail for an appearance in front of a judge to face the terror charge.
