BOSTON, Massachusetts – A California man has been arrested and charged with making threats against the LGBTQ community.
Jeremy David Hanson, 34, of Rossmoor, California, was arrested on Tuesday, April 20, 2022, and charged in federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts, in connection with making threats against Merriam-Webster, Inc.
According to the criminal complaint, between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8, 2021, Springfield-based Merriam-Webster, Inc. received various threatening messages and comments demonstrating bias against specific gender identities submitted through its website’s “Contact Us” page and in the comments section on its webpages that corresponded to the word entries for “Girl” and “Woman.”
The investigation identified numerous related threats, including to the American Civil Liberties Union, Land O’ Lakes, Hasbro, Inc., IGN Entertainment, the President of the University of North Texas, two professors at Loyola Marymount University, and a New York City rabbi.
Hanson allegedly sent threatening messages via the website’s “Contact Us” page and in the comments section on its webpages, including one that stated, “You [sic] headquarters should be shot up and bombed. It is sickening that you have caved to the cultural Marxist, anti-science tranny [sic] agenda and altered the definition of ‘female’ as part of the Left’s efforts to corrupt and degrade the English language and deny reality. You evil Marxists should all be killed.”
“Hate-filled threats and intimidations have no place in our society,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We believe Hanson sent a multitude of anonymous threatening and despicable messages related to the LGBTQ community that were intended to evoke fear and division.”
Hanson was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in the Central District of California. He will appear before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson in federal court in Springfield on April 29, 2022.
Individuals or entities who believe they may be victims of this crime should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 888-221-6023.
The charge against Hanson is one count of interstate communication of threats to commit violence.
Jeremy David Hanson is a 34-year-old man from Rossmoor, California.
Hanson will face federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Merriam-Webster, Inc. received threatening messages and comments between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8, 2021.
Authorities later identified the user as Hanson.
Merriam-Webster closed its offices in Springfield and New York City for approximately five business days as a result of the threats.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Cybercrime|Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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