Scott Robert Tardy, a 31-year-old resident of Holyoke, Massachusetts, has admitted guilt to charges of cyberstalking, providing false statements to the FBI, and obstruction of justice. The charges stem from his involvement in a scheme targeting a federal law enforcement agent and the agent’s family in South Carolina.
Court evidence revealed that Tardy used the username “connecticut12345” on Kik, where he joined an anti-law enforcement chat group. Within this group, he posted messages advocating violence against a specific agent and their spouse. He identified their employment as the reason for targeting them and shared photographs along with their city and state of residence.
Tardy suggested violent acts against the family, including throwing a Molotov cocktail into their bedroom while they slept. He urged moving conversations to Telegram under the username “slimybanana,” believing it was more secure. On Telegram, Tardy discussed extreme measures like having one victim “ruined,” “destroyed,” or “tortured for days.” He considered burning their house acceptable if they were inside. He also shared a map pinpointing the victims’ home location.
Upon executing a search warrant at Tardy’s apartment on February 16th, the FBI found him denying any use of Kik or Telegram and rejecting responsibility for his actions. He provided false information during an interview and reset his phone before exchanging it with Apple for another device.
Investigators retrieved data linking Tardy to both Kik and Telegram accounts. During this period, he was employed as a corrections officer at a Connecticut detention facility.
Tardy could face up to 20 years in prison along with fines reaching $250,000. Following imprisonment, he may be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr., who accepted Tardy’s guilty plea, will determine sentencing after reviewing a report from the U.S. Probation Office.
The FBI Columbia field office led the investigation with assistance from its Boston counterpart. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting this case.
