Jamarcus Manuel, Threats to Injure, Alabama 2023

Two men from Mobile, Alabama, have been sentenced for making online threats to injure a police officer, in a case that highlights the dangers of using social media to make threats against law enforcement.

According to court documents, Jamarcus Manuel, 21, and Justin Gorman, 22, were sentenced last week after pleading guilty to making online threats to injure a Mobile Police officer. Manuel was sentenced to serve twelve months of imprisonment, while Gorman was sentenced to time-served.

The incident occurred in April 2023, when Mobile Police officers executed a traffic stop on a vehicle in Mobile, Alabama. A passenger in the vehicle live-streamed the interaction on Instagram, and Manuel and Gorman posted comments on the video threatening to injure the officer conducting the traffic stop.

“Using social media, the internet, or any other communication channel to make threats is unacceptable,” said Sean P. Costello, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. “This is especially true when threats are made to those merely doing their jobs, like the men and women in law enforcement. We take any threat seriously, and will investigate and prosecute the criminals who violate federal laws by doing so.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasee S. Heisterhagen prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Both men will be subject to three years of supervised release.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of using social media responsibly and the consequences of making threats against law enforcement. As law enforcement agencies continue to work to keep communities safe, they must also be protected from threats and intimidation.

“We will not tolerate threats against our law enforcement officers,” said Sean P. Costello. “We will investigate and prosecute those who make such threats, and we will work to keep our communities safe.”

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