Richard W. Toler, Threatening a Federal Agent, Missouri 2018

Man Charged with Threatening FBI Agent

A Rocky Comfort, Mo., man has been charged in federal court with threatening to assault an FBI agent, announced Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Richard W. Toler, 47, of Rocky Comfort, was charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. The complaint was unsealed and made public today upon Toler’s arrest and initial court appearance. Toler remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018.

The federal criminal complaint alleges that Toler threatened to assault an FBI agent with the intent to impede, intimidate and interfere with the agent while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties, and retaliate against the agent on account of the performance of official duties.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Toler left more than 30 voicemail messages for the agent. In many of the voicemails, Toler yelled, cursed, and accused the agent of ignoring his duties. The affidavit cites specific threats made by Toler against the agent and his family.

For example, the affidavit cites one voice mail in which Toler allegedly said, “I think you should look at your kids … I think you should give them a … hug … in case this is the last Christmas you get to spend with them.”

Garrison cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the FBI and the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/rocky-comfort-man-charged-threatening-federal-agent