On October 9, 2026, a Loudoun County, Virginia, jury found Hadyn James Dollery, 19, guilty on four of five counts arising from threats made in April. Dollery is a trans-identified male who goes by "Sophie" and was a substitute teacher at Eagle Ridge Middle School (Loudoun Now).
The case
According to prosecutors, on April 15 Dollery sent Discord messages to a former boyfriend saying he planned to kill the former boyfriend and members of both families, go on a "murder spree" at John Champe High School, and cannibalize one of the victims.
The messages were reported through the state's Safe2Talk app. School officials judged the threats credible and added security at both schools. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office arrested Dollery on April 20 (WJLA). Prosecutors said a box cutter was found in his backpack.
The defense argued the messages were taken out of context and described the case as "teenage drama."
The verdict
The jury convicted Dollery of:
- two counts of threatening to injure or kill a person,
- one count of making threats on school grounds, and
- one count of threatening to damage a building.
He was acquitted on a third threat count. The convictions carry a maximum of 25 years in prison, with no mandatory minimum. Sentencing is scheduled for January 28, 2027. Defense attorneys said they would seek bond before then.