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Threats Against President-Elect Land Fairview Park Man in Hot Water
A Fairview Park man has been charged with making threats against President-Elect Donald Trump, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and Craig Wisniewski, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Cleveland office.
Zachary Benson, 24, is accused of posting threats on his Twitter account around 1 a.m. on November 9. The posts included: ‘My life goal is to assassinate Trump. Don’t care if I serve infinite sentences. That man deserves to decease existing,’ according to an affidavit filed in the case.
Benson later admitted to making the threats after watching election returns. He claimed he had no intentions related to the posts and was frustrated about the President-Elect’s policies, according to the affidavit.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karrie Howard following an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service. If convicted, Benson’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
‘A charge is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,’ U.S. Attorney Rendon noted. Benson is scheduled to appear in federal court to face the charges.
The investigation into Benson’s actions was led by the U.S. Secret Service’s Cleveland office, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
As the case moves forward, it is essential to remember that a charge is not a conviction. The court will determine the outcome of this case based on the evidence presented.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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