Assault & Battery Possible threat charge

[Thomas s]

Jurisdiction

Michigan

Good afternoon,

hypothetically if someone were to have a fake social media account and make a threat online against someone of celebrity status, despite being on the other side of the country and never having affiliated with this person before, is that a serious charge? A friend had this happen months ago and now the police have called their phone and requested that they call the department. They're worried that this will be a serious felony despite it not being credible in their opinion. Thank you

 

[army judge]

hypothetically if someone were to have a fake social media account and make a threat online against someone of celebrity status, despite being on the other side of the country and never having affiliated with this person before, is that a serious charge?

Think Before You Post Anything!!!!
Hoax Threats are Serious Federal Crimes!!!

In the aftermath of tragic shootings, such as the ones at Santa Fe High School in Texas and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, there is often an increase in hoax threats to schools and other public places. Safety is paramount, and the FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners always respond to each threat.

In recent months, the FBI and law enforcement around the country have investigated a number of hoax threats of targeted violence against schools and other public places. These threats—often issued via text message or posted on social media—are taken very seriously. Hoax threats are not a joke, and they can have devastating consequences—both for the public and for the perpetrators.

Issuing a threat—even over social media, via text message, or through e-mail—is a federal crime (threatening interstate communications). Those who post or send these threats can receive up to five years in federal prison, or they can face state or local charges.

With a thoughtless remark on social media, young people risk starting out their adult lives in prison and forever being labeled a felon.

"The Bureau and its law enforcement partners take each threat seriously. We investigate and fully analyze each threat to determine its credibility," said FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich. "Hoax threats disrupt school, waste limited law enforcement resources, and put first responders in unnecessary danger. We also don't want to see a young person start out adulthood with a felony record over an impulsive social media post. It's not a joke; always think before you post."

In addition to consequences for individuals who issue threats, there is also a significant societal cost. Law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and responding to hoax threats diverts officers and costs taxpayers. The threats can also cause severe emotional distress to students, school personnel, and parents.

Hoax Threats are Crimes | Federal Bureau of Investigation
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Here are a few examples of serious threats that the FBI and our partners have investigated:

Two young men in Kentucky created a social media account in someone else's name and used it to make threats against a public school, which police investigated and determined to be a hoax. An 18-year-old was sentenced to 21 months in prison and a 19-year-old was sentenced to 27 months.

A young man in Texas used social media and a phone to issue threats against schools in Minnesota. He also called in fake hostage situations, known as "swatting." He was arrested, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison. He was 19 at the time of sentencing.

A 21-year-old South Carolina man was sentenced to one year in federal prison after he sent text messages claiming there was a bomb in the parking lot of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the state.

An 18-year-old North Carolina man was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay restitution after he broadcast himself on the Internet calling in bomb threats to various public places, including schools, colleges, and FBI offices.

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Is It Illegal to Threaten Someone Online? - FindLaw
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[zddoodah]

hypothetically if someone were to have a fake social media account and make a threat online against someone of celebrity status, despite being on the other side of the country and never having affiliated with this person before, is that a serious charge?

What is the threat? Define "serious"?

A friend had this happen months ago and now the police have called their phone and requested that they call the department.

Your idiot friend is free to ignore this request. If the police actually question him, he should probably retain legal counsel.

 

[adjusterjack]

hypothetically if someone were to have a fake social media account and make a threat online against someone of celebrity status, despite being on the other side of the country and never having affiliated with this person before, is that a serious charge?

Depends on the nature of the threat.

A friend had this happen months ago and now the police have called their phone and requested that they call the department.

I strongly suggest he have a criminal defense attorney make that call because, since he was stupid enough to make the threat, he's probably stupid enough to say something that will get him arrested.

Around here we all know "Don't Talk to Police."

They're worried that this will be a serious felony despite it not being credible in their opinion.

They should be very worried. The opinion of a stupid person doesn't count.

And, please, don't tell us what the threat was. The police are capable of reading your post, finding you through subpoena, and compelling you to testify against your friend.

 

[leslie82]

Good afternoon,

hypothetically if someone were to have a fake social media account and make a threat online against someone of celebrity status, despite being on the other side of the country and never having affiliated with this person before, is that a serious charge? A friend had this happen months ago and now the police have called their phone and requested that they call the department. They're worried that this will be a serious felony despite it not being credible in their opinion. Thank you

I'd stop being friends with that person. Also this is not your issue to deal with unless you are actually "the friend" in question. If you are the friend, or you can tell your friend, don't talk about it. Also probably shouldn't post about it on public forums.