Police say security guard threatened to blow up Progreso High School

PROGRESO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Progreso Police Department arrested a former security guard Friday after he talked about shooting teachers and blowing up Progreso High School.

Officers arrested Roberto Hernandez, 20, of Progreso — a former Progreso Independent School District security guard — on Friday afternoon.

Hernandez allegedly told other Progreso ISD security guards that he wanted to blow up Progreso High School and wanted to buy a grenade launcher.

“He was furious at the school personnel because when he was in high school, several teachers had sent him to a mental hospital,” according to an affidavit filed with the Progreso Municipal Court, which added that Hernandez “wanted to come back and shoot them after he got out.”

Hernandez talked about buying a grenade launcher and explosives, according to the affidavit, to “unleash his fury at the school.”

Roberto Hernandez, 20, of Progreso, appeared before Municipal Judge Orlando "O.J." Jimenez on Friday afternoon. (Dave Hendricks / CBS 4 News)

The Progreso Police Department sent Hernandez’s phone to the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office, which conducted a forensic analysis.

“It showed that Roberto Hernandez through Google was attempting to purchase rocket propelled grenade launchers (RPG weapons),” according to the affidavit, which corroborated the allegations made by other security guards.

Hernandez allegedly made the statements on Sept. 4, his first day on the job.

“The individual in question, who worked the night shift and was not present on campus when students returned that morning, was terminated from their position the same day,” according to a statement released by Progreso ISD. “The matter is now in the hands of law enforcement, and Progreso ISD will provide its full cooperation throughout the investigation.”

As a precaution, police Chief Cesar Solis said officers searched Hernandez’s house and Progreso High School.

“We did not find anything — any explosive devices or anything that was concerning to us,” Solis said.

During the investigation, Solis said he was informed that Hernandez is autistic.

“We took that into consideration throughout the investigation,” Solis said.

The Progreso Police Department consulted with the District Attorney’s Office and reviewed the information on Hernandez’s phone before deciding how to proceed, Solis said. Hernandez’s search history, which showed him looking at grenade launchers, was particularly concerning.

Officers arrested Hernandez and charged him with making a terroristic threat, a Class B misdemeanor.

Roberto Hernandez, 20, of Progreso, appeared before Municipal Judge Orlando "O.J." Jimenez on Friday afternoon. (Dave Hendricks / CBS 4 News)

Hernandez appeared before Municipal Judge Orlando “O.J.” Jimenez on Friday afternoon wearing orange sandals, basketball shorts and a t-shirt with the words “Trippy Vibes” printed on the back.

Jimenez said the allegations concerned him.

“I’m not saying that you did these things. These are allegations at this time. You’re going to have the opportunity to defend yourself when you go to court,” Jimenez said. “But, at this point, it’s on me to ensure that the citizens and students are safe.”

Jimenez set bail at $75,000 and ordered Hernandez to stay at least 200 yards away from schools.