David Backus, Mailing Threatening Communications, New York 2023

A North Syracuse man has been taken off the streets after pleading guilty to mailing threatening letters. David Backus, 40, of North Syracuse, New York, admitted to sending 18 threatening letters to 6 victims between November 2021 and September 2022.

The letters, which were sent through the U.S. Postal Service, contained threats such as 'I’m going to kill you dead!!!'. Backus admitted that he intended for each of the mailings to be a threat and knew they would be viewed as such.

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated the case, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police, the Town of Kirkland Police Department, and the City of Oswego Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case. Backus faces up to 5 years in prison on each of the 6 counts, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years at sentencing on June 28, 2023.

The sentencing will take into account the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Backus' sentence will be imposed by a judge.

The investigation and prosecution of this case are a reminder of the importance of protecting the public from threats and violence.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/north-syracuse-man-pleads-guilty-mailing-threatening-letters