POUGHKEEPSIE – Former Vassar College student Nigel Trenh was arrested Wednesday by the FBI in California on federal charges that he posted a .
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The 22-year-old Los Angeles man is accused of posting misleading warnings of a bomb and active shooter at Davison House, his former dormitory, on the social media platform Fizz. As a result, the residence hall was evacuated.
“Trenh’s alleged hoax unnecessarily incited fear on one of our local campuses and diverted law enforcement resources from legitimate calls,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher Raia.
Authorities said the move-in day post was part of a broader pattern of unsolicited threatening and/or harassing communications sent by Trenh to (Vassar) personnel, including e-mails and messages making express reference to on-campus violence and school shootings.
His communications continued even after he was questioned by federal authorities regarding that bomb hoax.
Trenh has been charged with maliciously conveying false information involving an explosive, which, if convicted, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and false information and a hoax involving explosives and firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI New York Office Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, Poughkeepsie Town and City Police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
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