COLUMBIA, S.C. – Scott Robert Tardy, 31, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, has confessed to a disturbing campaign of cyberstalking targeting a South Carolina federal law enforcement agent and his family. Tardy pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, providing false statements to the FBI, and obstruction of justice, a scheme that escalated into explicit threats of violence.
The evidence laid bare in court reveals that in February, Tardy operated under the username “connecticut12345” on the Kik social media platform, infiltrating an anti-law enforcement chatgroup. Within this digital haven for animosity, Tardy didn’t just vent; he actively solicited violence against the specific agent and his spouse, repeatedly citing their employment as justification for targeting them. He escalated the threat by sharing photographs of the agent’s spouse and revealing their city and state of residence.
The chilling details paint a picture of premeditation. Tardy didn’t stop at identification. He discussed scenarios of extreme violence, including firebombing the family’s home while they slept, suggesting a Molotov cocktail attack. Seeking greater security, he migrated the conversation to the Telegram platform under the username “slimybanana,” where the threats became even more graphic. He fantasized about cartel-style torture, envisioning the victims being “ruined,” “destroyed,” and subjected to days of torment. Even a house fire, he casually stated, was “good enough” if the agent was inside.
The digital trail led investigators directly to the victims’ home. Tardy shared a map pinpointing the exact location of their residence, even asking another user how long it would take to arrive. This wasn’t idle chatter; it was a calculated attempt to incite real-world harm. Adding insult to injury, when the FBI executed a federal search warrant at Tardy’s apartment on February 16th, he outright lied, denying any involvement with Kik or Telegram and disavowing responsibility for the threatening messages.
But the digital breadcrumbs remained. Despite Tardy’s attempts to cover his tracks – including resetting his phone and obtaining a replacement from Apple – investigators recovered the map with the pin drop on the victims’ street. Data confirmed Tardy’s control over both the Kik and Telegram accounts. The irony isn’t lost on authorities: Tardy, employed as a corrections officer at a detention facility in Connecticut while allegedly plotting to harm a federal agent’s family.
Tardy now faces up to 20 years in prison, a hefty fine of up to $250,000, and five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. accepted Tardy’s guilty plea and will determine his sentence after a review of the U.S. Probation Office’s report. The case was spearheaded by the FBI Columbia field office, with crucial support from the FBI Boston field office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case, aiming to deliver justice for a family targeted by a dangerous and obsessive individual.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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