Peter Robert Berry, Threats Against Government Officials, Minnesota 2021

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to making threats against Hennepin County government officials, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. Peter Robert Berry, 60, a convicted felon, threatened to harm employees of Hennepin County Community Corrections and other government officials, sparking an investigation by the FBI, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

According to court documents, on June 24, 2021, the Hennepin County District Court issued an arrest warrant for Peter Robert Berry after he failed to appear in court for a hearing. Berry called an employee of Hennepin County Community Corrections to ask questions about his court appearance. During the call, Berry became angry and began yelling, threatening to ‘shoot up the place.’

That same day, Berry left a voice message for a Hennepin County Probation Officer in which Berry demanded a call back before he starts ‘killing everybody.’ On June 25, 2021, Berry called a Hennepin County Service Center employee who informed him of the active warrant for his arrest due to his failure to appear in court. Upon learning about the warrant, Berry stated that he was going to ‘come down and kill everybody, all the judges, clerks, and deputies.’

On June 29, 2021, Berry left a voice message for a Hennepin County Public Defender in which Berry expressed his dissatisfaction with the representation he received in his criminal case and threatened that people were going to die and stated that he knew where the public defender lived.

Berry pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of interstate transmission of a threat. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

According to court documents, on July 10, 2020, and on April 7, 2021, Berry unlawfully possessed three firearms, including a Beretta .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol, and a Diamondback DB15 rifle. Because Berry has prior felony convictions in Hennepin, Dakota, and Ramsey Counties, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison K. Ethen is prosecuting the case. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

In related news, Berry’s guilty plea comes as a relief to Hennepin County officials, who had been on high alert following the threatening calls. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked anger and the importance of prioritizing public safety.

Berry’s exact sentence or outcome was not announced, but his guilty plea sets the stage for a potentially lengthy prison term. As the investigation continues, it is clear that Berry’s actions will have far-reaching consequences for himself and those around him.

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