MONROE, CT — Detectives investigating the Zoom bombing of a town budget hearing in March, in which racist speech and pornographic images took over the screen, determined the culprit was a 12-year-old boy from Idaho.
Lt. Kevin McKellick said the youth acquired the content and Zoom link from an online group promoting what is known as Zoom bombing.
Police tracked down the suspect’s account and a computer investigation led to a residence in Idaho. Monroe detectives contacted local police there, who went to the house and told the boy’s parents they needed to call a Monroe detective right away.
The boy and his father made a conference call to the detective, who discussed the gravity of the situation.
“The kid admitted to doing it and his parents handled the news appropriately,” McKellick said Friday.
Due to the juvenile’s young age, police decided not to charge him for the offense.
“Great work by the Monroe Police and law enforcement agencies who engaged in the investigation,” First Selectman Terry Rooney said. “I’m happy this situation was solved, proving that ‘you cannot escape the long arm of the law.'”
A check washing scheme
A 20-year-old Monroe man turned himself in on a warrant Thursday night, after allegedly washing and cashing the $1,083 check of a Rhode Island woman. Police said he is also a suspect in other ongoing investigations of washed checks.
On March 12, the Newport Police Department contacted Monroe police when their investigation identified Derick Mendoza as a suspect.
He was charged with second-degree forgery and criminal attempt at second-degree larceny and released on $25,000 bond.
The victim, a Newport woman, reported the crime in September of 2024, after receiving a phone call from Blue Cross and Blue Shield asking for a payment. She informed them she sent a check back in June, which the company never received, according to police.
When she filed a complaint with her bank, she learned the check was altered. The amount was the same, but the recipient was changed to Derick Mendoza, who she does not know, police said.
Social hosting
A 57-year-old Monroe woman turned herself in on a warrant Thursday afternoon, charging her with violation of the social hosting law by permitting a minor to possess alcohol. She was released on $1,000 bond for an April 11 court date.
On March 13, police officers responded to the report of a loud party with juveniles drinking alcohol on Northwood Drive at approximately 10:47 p.m.
When officers arrived at the house, they knocked on the front door and all of the lights started turning off, police said. Then the homeowner answered the door and said her daughter had friends over.
Officers were allowed inside the house and found several juveniles hiding in various areas, police said. While speaking with them, officers said they appeared to be in various stages of intoxication. Officers also observed alcohol and party games set up, according to the report.
The children were identified, their parents were notified and picked them up.
Evading on Route 25
A Newtown man was issued a misdemeanor summons for evading responsibility and failure to drive in the proper lane March 29, after allegedly sideswiping another vehicle while driving his black Ford F150 south on Main Street, near Crescent Place.
At approximately 9:20 p.m., a Yonkers, N.Y., man told police he was heading north on Route 25 in his green Nissan Frontier, when the Ford F150 crossed over the double yellow line and struck the left side of his truck, damaging the mirror.
When the Newtown man did not stop, police said the Yonkers driver followed him all the way to Newtown, relaying the license plate to officers along the way.
Officers went to the man’s home and he reportedly told them he wasn’t sure exactly what happened and didn’t realize he struck the other vehicle.
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