UIC student arrested for online threats to University of Chicago

A UIC engineering student, arrested Monday on federal charges for threatening armed violence at the University of Chicago, was put under house arrest in his mother’s custody Tuesday by a federal judge.

Chicago resident Jabari R. Dean, 21, faces charges of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce after FBI agents investigated an anonymous threat on a social media website. The threat led the University of Chicago to cancel classes and close the Hyde Park campus Monday.

According to Chicago Tribune reports, federal prosecutors said Dean did not have weapons to carry out the threat.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of five years.

“We are monitoring this situation closely and are concerned about the impact this has had on our campus and the University of Chicago,” UIC Chancellor Michael Amiridis said in a Monday morning email to campus.

The message noted the arrest and said UIC Police cooperated with other law enforcement agencies after learning of the online threat. Patrols on campus were increased.

According to UIC policy, students facing criminal charges may be subject to the Student Conduct Process outlined in the Student Disciplinary Policy.