Kirkland, WA – A Kirkland resident has been taken into custody on charges of making interstate threats against a former Ferguson police officer and his family.
Jaleel Tarik Abdul-Jabbaar, 46, was arrested today at his home after police confirmed the severity of his threats. Abdul-Jabbaar is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle this afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
The Acting United States Attorney Annette L. Hayes emphasized that while citizens have the right to voice their opinions, such as those about the Ferguson case, they are not allowed to make threats of violence against law enforcement officers. “Such threats are crimes, and individuals who make them must be held accountable,” Hayes stated.
According to the criminal complaint, Abdul-Jabbaar began posting his threats on Facebook in the days following the August 9, 2014, shooting of Michael Brown, continuing until late November. His posts included calls for the death of a named officer and other law enforcement personnel, as well as expressions of intent to travel to Ferguson to carry out these threats.
Additionally, Abdul-Jabbaar is accused of using Facebook communications to seek out firearms, further indicating his intent to follow through on his deadly rhetoric.
The penalty for making interstate threats can be up to five years in prison. The charges against Abdul-Jabbaar are solely allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is under investigation by the FBI and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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