ARIZONA WOMAN ACCUSED OF YEARS-LONG CAMPAIGN OF THREATS, HARASSMENT AND SWATTING

ARIZONA — An Arizona woman is facing dozens of criminal charges after investigators accused her of carrying out a years-long campaign of threats, harassment and false emergency reports targeting relatives, neighbors and members of a Jehovah’s Witness congregation.

Shelbey Fernandez, 30, was arrested at the home she shared with her parents and faces 54 charges, including stalking, terroristic threats, harassment, false emergency reporting and sexual exploitation of a minor.

According to police, the alleged campaign involved multiple phone numbers, email accounts and increasingly disturbing messages.

FALSE 911 CALLS SENT POLICE TO HOMES

Investigators say Fernandez allegedly made false emergency calls reporting shootings, hostage situations and drug overdoses.

Those calls prompted law enforcement responses to homes in both Arizona and Florida, according to authorities.

One alleged false report claimed Fernandez’s father had shot her mother.

Police say the incidents were not isolated. Instead, investigators believe they were part of a broader campaign that involved numerous victims over an extended period.

Authorities have identified 23 alleged victims, including family members, friends and a Maricopa County probation officer.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESS CONGREGATION TARGETED

The investigation also allegedly uncovered threats against a local Jehovah’s Witness congregation.

Police say Fernandez threatened the congregation with a mass shooting.

The threats were considered serious enough that the congregation temporarily stopped holding services in person and moved meetings online for several weeks.

The episode left members facing the difficult decision of whether gathering together could put them at risk.

FAMILY MEMBERS ALLEGEDLY RECEIVED GRAPHIC THREATS

Investigators say some of the messages were particularly disturbing.

According to police, Fernandez allegedly sent a nude image involving a young child to her mother and a family friend and made claims connecting the child to a surgeon who had previously treated her.

Other alleged communications included threats of rape and murder, racial and religious slurs, images of guns and threats to dismember people.

Authorities say the messages were sent through different accounts and phone numbers, allegedly making it more difficult for investigators and victims to determine who was behind them.

AN ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO FRAME ANOTHER MAN

One of the most unusual allegations involves the identity Fernandez allegedly attempted to create behind the threats.

Investigators say she disguised herself as the husband of a surgeon and made it appear that the man was responsible for the threatening communications.

Fernandez’s family reportedly believed the surgeon’s husband was behind the harassment and repeatedly reported him to police.

Investigators now allege that Fernandez herself was responsible.

54 CHARGES AND 23 ALLEGED VICTIMS

The sheer number of charges reflects the scope of the investigation.

Police say the alleged conduct affected family members, acquaintances, neighbors and people who apparently had no connection to Fernandez beyond being targeted by the communications.

The investigation also involved repeated interactions with law enforcement because of the false emergency calls.

Fernandez remains in custody on $5,000 bond.

The allegations are still accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

What began as a series of disturbing messages and emergency calls has now developed into a major criminal case involving dozens of charges and more than 20 alleged victims.