Attorney General Dana Nessel charged Holland man Joshua Docter with one count of threat of terrorism and one count of using a computer to commit a crime March 16. He made death threats against President Joe Biden, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to a press release from Nessel's office.
According to the charging document, the threat of terrorism charge holds a 20-year sentence and/or a fine of $20,000. The charge of using a computer to commit a crime holds a maximum 20-year prison sentence and/or a fine of $20,000.
On March 15, charges were filed in Monday in Ottawa County 58th District Court. Today, Docter turned himself in and was arraigned before Judge Bradley Knoll.
The FBI first investigated this case because Docter allegedly made threatening posts on the platform, iFunny. According to the press release, Michigan State Police then took over the investigation. Nessel's office was referred to for prosecution.
Docter
said in his posts that he would use a gun to shoot and kill the elected officials and would “be the catalyst” for a new American revolution. He also had information on how to make a bomb and knew where to find the materials for its creation.
“Threatening elected officials is against the law and my office will prosecute those who attempt to intimidate or terrorize our state and federal leaders," Nessel said in the release. "I appreciate the thorough investigative work by the FBI and Michigan State Police on this case, and I consider it another excellent example of showcasing the dedication that those working in law enforcement have to protect the public."
Domestic terrorism, militias and armed protests have become more prevalent at the national and the state level.
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