Transgender Former Teacher Convicted of Threatening Violence at Virginia High School

A former substitute teacher who identifies as transgender has been found guilty of issuing threats to carry out a “murder spree” at a high school in Virginia. Hadyn James Dollery, a 19-year-old who goes by the name “Sophie,” received a conviction Friday on four out of five charges filed against him in Loudoun County. The jury found him guilty of two counts of threatening to harm or kill someone, one count related to threats made on school grounds, and one for threatening to damage property. He was not convicted on one of the charges related to making threats.

The prosecution revealed that the threatening messages were sent via Discord at roughly 1:49 a.m. on April 15, shortly after Dollery’s boyfriend ended their relationship. Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dircia Schubert informed the jury that Dollery threatened not only his ex but also their families, expressing intentions to commit a spree of killings at the ex’s school. Disturbingly, he even mentioned the possibility of cannibalizing one of the victims after the act.

The ex-boyfriend and another target alerted authorities through Safe2Talk, a school safety reporting app. Officials at John Champe High School, the intended target, along with Eagle Ridge Middle School, where Dollery served as a substitute but was not licensed, took the threats seriously and increased security measures at both locations.

According to charging documents, the sheriff’s office received the threat report on April 16. Dollery was apprehended four days afterward, outside of school property, and subsequently removed from the district’s list of substitute teachers.

Jurors heard about a box cutter found in Dollery’s backpack and phone records indicating he searched for information related to blood.

Defense attorney Mary Swanson contended that the situation stemmed from a typical teenage love triangle that had been exaggerated. She pointed out that it was Dollery’s first breakup and emphasized that he had no prior record of violent behavior.

The jury, composed of seven men and five women, deliberated on the case on Thursday afternoon and returned with a verdict the following day. Sentencing is scheduled for January 28, with the four convictions potentially leading to a total of 25 years in prison, without a minimum sentence specified.

Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman raised concerns regarding the hiring practices of the school district after the April arrest, suggesting that 18- and 19-year-olds should not be entrusted with the responsibility of supervising students, as it poses a safety concern. In contrast, Loudoun County Public Schools allows 19-year-olds to serve as substitutes provided they possess a high school diploma, with district spokesman Dan Adams defending the hiring process amidst criticism.

This incident has drawn national scrutiny, especially in light of previous controversies involving the school district. In 2021, a male student assaulted two female classmates after being transferred between schools. A grand jury later concluded the district had failed to protect its students and indicted the then-Superintendent on several misdemeanor charges.

Commenters on social media platforms criticized the district for allowing Dollery to work in the schools, with some calling for accountability regarding those who approved his employment.