Oregon Man Sentenced for YouTube Headquarter Mass Shooting Threat

Medford, Ore. — The grimy streets of Josephine County were hit with a stunning revelation as William Gregory Douglas, 38, from Cave Junction, Oregon, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison today for his chilling threats against YouTube employees at the company’s San Bruno, California headquarters.

Douglas, whose video channel was removed by YouTube on August 22, 2018, for violating platform terms of service, took to Twitter to express his malevolent intent. On August 23, he unleashed five tweets of terror, including one that referenced a prior shooting incident at the tech giant’s offices in April 2018.

His tirade reached its crescendo on September 8 when Douglas posted, “Hey why do you guys keep ignoring me would it be better if I leave you with no other options like your [sic] leaving me…I’m beyond pissed…I wonder how I should deal with this frustration.” Just a few days later, on September 17, he delivered a direct threat to a senior YouTube leader with the ominous hashtag #pray.

On October 4, 2018, the feds moved in. A federal grand jury in Medford indicted Douglas on one count of cyberstalking. By January 14, 2020, he was charged with making interstate communications with the intent to extort. The plea deal came on February 20, 2020.

This harrowing case was a collaboration between the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith R. Harper for the District of Oregon.

For those who may encounter real or perceived threats of violence, contact the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov. Immediate threats to life and safety should be reported by calling 9-1-1.

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