Charlottesville, VA – A chilling threat to local schools has led to the arrest of an Atlanta man. Michael Anthony Townes, 48, was taken into custody on May 20, 2018 in Georgia and charged with one count of transmitting in interstate commerce a communication containing a threat to injure the person of another.
Townes allegedly posted threatening messages on a Yahoo! News story about a black man beaten by white supremacists in Charlottesville. The comments, which included a reference to a copycat attack on a school, caused all schools within the City of Charlottesville to go into a modified lockdown for two days in October 2017.
“The defendant’s alleged threats terrified students, parents, teachers, and administrators and triggered an immediate response by our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen. “We are grateful to the FBI for coordinating this rapid response and ensuring the safety of the local community. As this and other recent cases indicate, the U.S. Attorney’s Office takes these types of threats seriously and will respond accordingly.”
“The FBI stands with our schools and will vigorously investigate threats made to them – whether legitimate or a hoax. Law enforcement and other first responders have some of the most difficult jobs in our society. They encounter danger every day and keep our communities safe from violence and injury. To spread panic and fear through hoax threats to our schools – at this moment, while our nation mourns its many recent mass shooting victims – and encumber the limited resources of our first responders, is truly despicable. It’s not cute. It’s not funny and it will land you in jail,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Lee.
Townes will have his initial court appearance in the Western District of Virginia in the near future.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Townes’ case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Barish Swartz and Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime