Jonathan Joshua Munafo, Threatening Emergency Dispatch, Michigan 2023

A man from Winter Park, Florida, has been sentenced to prison for threatening emergency dispatch personnel in Michigan. Jonathan Joshua Munafo, 35, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years supervised release for threatening emergency dispatch personnel and tying up an emergency phone line for three hours.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Munafo called the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office on January 5, 2021, demanding to speak to a sheriff’s deputy or sergeant. He identified himself only as ‘Yankee Patriot’ and aggressively berated the dispatcher, making threats against her and her family.

Munafo placed approximately 143 calls to the dispatch center, even though the supervisor pleaded with him to clear the line for emergency calls. He said the dispatcher was risking lives by letting him tie up the line and that after the ‘Insurrection Act’ he was coming to her house first.

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and FBI investigators determined that Munafo placed the call from a truck stop in North Carolina. The next day, Munafo allegedly participated in the assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Munafo has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. for multiple offenses, including assaulting a U.S. Capitol Police officer.

U.S. Attorney Mark A. Totten said, ‘Violence, threats of violence, or intimidation is never the answer.’ He added, ‘My office will not tolerate this behavior, especially when it interferes with the life-saving duties of first responders and jeopardizes the public’s safety.’

The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, James A. Tarasca, said, ‘Public servants – particularly those who work in already stressful positions – should not be threatened or intimidated for doing their jobs.’

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/respondent full name: Jonathan Joshua Munafo. Exact criminal charges: Threatening emergency dispatch personnel. City and state: Grand Rapids, Michigan. Exact date: January 5, 2021. Sentence or outcome: 24 months in prison and three years supervised release.

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