ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A Ross County family received death threats after a person pretending to be an acquaintance messaged on social media demanding money or else.
According to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a Bainbridge residence after receiving a call that a person was making death threats toward a family.
Upon arrival, reports say, deputies spoke with the caller who said that someone pretending to be an acquaintance was demanding $60 via gift cards. The unknown Facebook messenger stated that he knew where the family lived and went to school and could “kill them whenever (he) wanted.”
The police report says the family also received a picture of an African American male sitting on the floor surrounded by various firearms. The individual sending the messages reportedly continued to threaten the family saying, “send me the card or consider yourself your dead in the next 7 days.”
The investigation into the alleged extortion scheme continued, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies spoke with the person whose Facebook account was used to send the messages. The individual said their account was hacked days prior and was unable to regain access.
Due to death threats against the family and their children. One area school was notified of the ongoing investigation.
No further details were provided by the authorities outside of the police report. The case remains under investigation.