BUFFALO, N.Y. – Eric Anthony, 27, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder federal law enforcement officers with intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with such law enforcement officers while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such law enforcement officers on account of the performance of their official duties.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
According to the complaint, on April 18, 2024, Anthony sent an email to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, criticizing federal gun laws and the actions of multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, FBI, HSI, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Rochester Police Department.
The email also included threats to murder law enforcement officers. The email stated that if anything happened to Anthony or his family, “then I am left no choice to impose my ‘hellish strategic move.’” The complaint further states that Anthony followed up his email with a fax to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
“Any and all threats to harm or injure any member of our law enforcement community are taken seriously,” stated U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. “I commend the collaboration and teamwork that went into locating and arresting this defendant, who was prepared to act on the threats he made, which could have resulted in deadly consequences for the men and women whose mission it is to protect our communities and its citizens.”
Anthony made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and is being held pending a detention hearing on April 23, 2024, at 12:30 p.m.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Bryan Miller, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rochester Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, Western District of New York.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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