( CNN ) -- Two teens who , in separate incidents , threatened to carry out similar attacks as the massacre in Newtown were promptly arrested this week -- a sign that law enforcement officials have taken an aggressive no-tolerance approach against potential copycats . In California , Sergio Cabada posted messages online that he `` both supported the actions of the school shooter in Connecticut and had thought of possibly committing similar acts , '' police in the city of Fairfield said . Police learned of the statements about 9 a.m. Monday . By Monday afternoon , detectives had tracked them down to the 18-year-old in the northern California city of Suisun . Cabada was arrested and faces felony charges of criminal threats , police said . `` Several items were seized from the residence in an effort to both complete the criminal investigation and to prevent any future acts of violence by Cabada , '' a police statement said . In the second case , police in Tennessee arrested Shawn Lenz , 19 , after he allegedly posted threatening messages on Facebook . Lenz , in a post Sunday , wrote : `` feel like going on a rampage , kinda like the shooting where that one guy killed some teachers and a bunch of students , '' CNN affiliate WSMV reported . He was arrested the same day and charged with terrorism , harassment through the Internet and possession of drug paraphernalia , the affiliate reported . In school shootings , patterns and warning signs . The arrests come after investigators in the Connecticut elementary school shooting issued stern warnings to potential copycats . Last week , Connecticut State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance warned that threats would be `` investigated statewide and federally and prosecution will take place when people perpetrating this information are identified . '' However , such arrests may prove difficult to prosecute , legal experts say . `` This country is based on freedom of speech , '' said Ryan Calo , a law professor with the University of Washington . `` Saying things about the Connecticut shooting somewhat in a threatening manner , that is not going to be actionable , for the most part . '' But , he added , `` If you intentionally interfere with an investigation , mislead officers trying to conduct an investigation on purpose , well then , yes absolutely , you 're going to be prosecuted . '' There may be another way to prosecute suspects but that also raises issues , said Calo . `` Another is where you intentionally create a public panic , '' he said . `` But understand what the prosecution would have to show is the post or the tweet was done intentionally , was done on purpose , in order to interfere with the investigation in order to create a public panic and that is a relatively high bar to show. `` Strangers inspired to honor Newtown victims . CNN 's Tina Burnside and Josh Levs contributed to this report .
The arrests of the suspects are for separate cases , one in Kentucky , one in Tennessee . The suspects will be difficult to identify , legal expert says .