FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (CN) - A New York man has been charged with making threatening phone calls to elementary schools in northern Arizona, allegedly saying in a computer-generated voice, "I want to kill hundreds of children."
Federal prosecutors allege that Viktor Lisnyak, 29, of Staten Island, made the calls between March and May this year. He was arrested on July 17 and charged this week with five courts of transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce.
According to the indictment, in one call made on April 20, Lisnyak used a "female computerized voice" to say, "I want to kill hundreds of children; I want to kill hundreds of children. I am in the school and I want to kill myself."
Lisnyak allegedly told investigators in New York that he was a "gamer" and that the calls "were in response to online video gaming," according to the criminal complaint. He allegedly said that he "would gain 'points' for making these calls and at times had to make these calls if he 'lost' a game."
The man faces up to five years in prison for each count, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Court records indicate that he has been released from custody on a $150,000 bond. He is scheduled for arraignment in Phoenix on July 29.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Bibles is handling the prosecution. Lisnyak is represented by Joseph Potashnik of New York, who did not immediately return a request for comment Friday.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.
Additional Reads
-
Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines April 17, 2024 -
-
Contributor-Test-Post-2024-04-12 April 12, 2024 -
