ROCHESTER, NY – Eric Anthony, 27, of Rochester, is in federal custody after allegedly unleashing a torrent of threats against members of federal law enforcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Justice announced Anthony’s arrest Monday, charging him with threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder federal officers with intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with their duties – or retaliate against them for performing those duties.
According to the criminal complaint, Anthony’s rage boiled over on April 18, 2024, when he sent a scathing email to the ATF, railing against federal gun laws and the actions of multiple agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rochester Police Department. But the email wasn’t just venting; it contained explicit threats to kill law enforcement officers. He warned that if anything were to happen to him or his family, he would be “left no choice to impose my ‘hellish strategic move.’” He doubled down on the menace, following up the email with a fax sent to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, repeating the same disturbing content.
“Any and all threats to harm or injure any member of our law enforcement community are taken seriously,” stated U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. The feds moved quickly, and investigators discovered Anthony wasn’t just blowing smoke. A search revealed he was illegally stockpiling weapons capable of carrying out the threats he made. “I commend the collaboration and teamwork that went into locating and arresting this defendant, who was prepared to act on the threats he made, which could have resulted in deadly consequences for the men and women whose mission it is to protect our communities and its citizens.”
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller didn’t mince words. “This recent arrest serves as a reminder that serious threats of violence will not be tolerated,” Miller said. “The suspect was found to be illegally stockpiling weapons capable of carrying out the repeated threats of violence he had made against law enforcement.” The ATF’s NY Rochester Violent Crime Task Force led the operation, with crucial support from the Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Federal investigators emphasize the importance of interagency cooperation in cases like this. “Federal task forces augment local agencies with specialized investigative resources and open pathways for federal prosecution,” explained Matthew Miraglia, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “Thanks to these efforts and partnerships…the FBI continues to be successful in combatting potential threats and protecting our communities.” Sheriff Todd K. Baxter added that with violent attacks against law enforcement increasing nationwide, Anthony’s targeted threats were particularly alarming.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith echoed the sentiment, calling the arrest “another example of the partnerships that exist in Rochester law enforcement that work towards keeping our city safe.” Anthony made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and is currently being held pending further court proceedings. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The investigation remains ongoing.
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