BINGHAMTON, NY – A disturbed Oswego man, Joshua Michael Furbeck, age 22, is headed to federal prison after a chilling campaign of threats directed at a U.S. Secret Service agent and that agent’s family. Furbeck was sentenced today to 42 months behind bars for each of two counts: Threatening to Murder a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, and Threatening to Murder a Family Member of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. The sentences will be served concurrently.
The threats weren’t idle boasts. On September 17, 2016, Furbeck dialed the Secret Service office in Syracuse, New York, and left a voicemail promising to kill a specific agent. This wasn’t a vague rant; the message contained a direct and credible threat against the agent’s life. Weeks later, on October 27, 2016, when questioned by Secret Service agents, Furbeck doubled down, making additional threatening statements aimed at the same agent. The details of those statements have not been publicly released, but authorities deemed them serious enough to warrant federal prosecution.
Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith didn’t mince words, stating the case demonstrates the commitment of his office to protecting those who serve and protect. Lewis Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Buffalo Field Office, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the agency’s zero tolerance for threats against its personnel. While the specifics of Furbeck’s motive remain unclear, the incident highlights the growing danger faced by law enforcement officers, even from individuals with no direct connection to the cases they investigate.
The investigation, a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service’s Buffalo Field Office and the New York State Police (Troop D), quickly built a solid case against Furbeck. The evidence – the voicemail, the in-person statements – left little room for doubt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric successfully prosecuted the case, securing the 42-month sentence and a subsequent three-year term of supervised release upon Furbeck’s eventual release from prison.
This isn’t simply about protecting Secret Service agents; it’s about safeguarding the entire system of law enforcement. Threats like these erode public trust and create a climate of fear. The Department of Justice, in this instance, appears determined to send a clear message: targeting federal officers and their families will be met with swift and severe consequences. Furbeck’s case serves as a stark warning to anyone contemplating similar actions.
Beyond the prison sentence, Furbeck will be under federal supervision for three years after his release. Whether this will be enough to address the underlying issues that drove him to make these threats remains to be seen. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and report on any further developments. The full DOJ press release can be found on their Northern District of New York website.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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