Authorities arrested 30-year-old Shelbey Fernandez in Peoria, Arizona, on Aug. 11 after what police describe as a years-long campaign of violent threats, obscene images and repeated false emergency reports directed at relatives, acquaintances and religious congregants.
Allegations and Timeline
Peoria police say the harassment began in 2019 and continued through Aug. 6 of this year. According to court documents and police statements cited by local outlets, Fernandez allegedly sent a graphic photo of a nude infant or toddler to family members and a friend in Florida while claiming the child belonged to another person. Investigators also say she impersonated a surgeon's husband in messages, prompting her own family to report that man to police before the impersonation was revealed.
Messages described in the affidavit allegedly included repeated threats of rape, murder and dismemberment, as well as racial slurs and sexually explicit images attached to rape threats. Investigators further allege Fernandez made numerous false emergency calls and "swatting" reports — reporting hostage situations, overdoses and shootings — that triggered law-enforcement responses at multiple addresses.
Shelbey Fernandez.Credit: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
Threats Against A Congregation
Beginning in mid-July, police say Fernandez made a mass-shooting threat aimed at a Jehovah's Witnesses worship center. The congregation canceled in-person services and held meetings remotely for several weeks while the threat was investigated.
Charges And Case Status
Fernandez faces more than 30 criminal counts, including sexual exploitation of a minor, stalking with intent to cause distress or fear, making threats by electronic communication, unlawfully distributing electronic communications, harassing by false report and filing false emergency reports. Bond was set at $5,000. It was not immediately clear whether she has entered a plea or retained counsel.
Note: These details are allegations from police reports and court documents. Fernandez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Peoria police have not publicly identified a motive and declined further comment while the investigation remains active. Local reporting referenced Peoria Police Department statements and court filings cited by KTAR, the Tampa Free Press, FOX 10 and PEOPLE.
