A Detroit man’s been arrested for threatening the governor, and he may face 20 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, on April 14th, 32-year-old Robert S. Tesh of KISS’s favorite Rock City made “credible threats” to end the life of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Also purportedly a stated target: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
As per Michigan State Police spokesperson Lieutenant Mike Shaw, Robert made said threats in social media messages sent to an acquaintance.
Police got a tip on the threats and arrested the big talker that same day.
And now, as relayed by The Daily Caller, the man’s been charged with false report of a threat of terrorism.
If Robert’s convicted, The New York Times reports, he could get two decades in the joint.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy told The Associated Press it isn’t funny:
“These threats…they are not funny. They are not jokes. There is nothing humorous about it. Even if you don’t carry it out, we’re going to charge you criminally. The alleged facts in this case lay out a very disturbing scenario.”
Kym observed, “Emotions are heightened on all sides now.”
She ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie.
Here’s some emotion:
And more:
Of course, it isn’t just in Michigan:
Back to prosecutor Kym:
“We understand that these times can be stressful and upsetting for many people. But we will not and cannot tolerate threats like these against any public officials who are carrying out their duties as efficiently as they can. You can disagree with their positions or their methodology, but you absolutely cannot act as this defendant allegedly acted or you will be charged criminally.”
Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Spokeswoman Maria Miller explained to the Times that Robert’s threats weren’t specific to Gretchen’s stay-at-home orders, but I’d say it’s a fair chance they weren’t wholly unrelated.
Regardless, Michigan is certainly seeing tumultuous times.
As I noted previously, people want to get back to work. And back to their lives.
To some, Gretchen Whitmer — in office for little more than a year — got in way over her head:
I love Michigan, one of the reasons we are doing such a GREAT job for them during this horrible Pandemic. Yet your Governor, Gretchen “Half” Whitmer is way in over her head, she doesn’t have a clue. Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
As for Robert, he was held on $50,000 bail and posted bond two weeks ago.
Tethered by GPS, he’s set for a probable cause conference June 3rd.
More from the AP:
Whitmer told reporters Friday she has never felt unsafe and credited the state police for keeping her safe.
“It is never acceptable to make threats of violence to anyone, but our officeholders as well,” she said. “So we take (threats) very seriously. It is not easy. I’d be lying if I told you that any of us this has been easy.”
A spokesman for Nessel said in an email to the AP that her office was unable to comment on the arrest and charges since they relate “to an open criminal matter.”
At this point, what’s uglier — the virus or the clash between the citizenry and its elected officials?
COVID-19 can be deadly. Meanwhile, speaking of death threats, there’s been a threat to life of another sort — the American way of it.
-ALEX
See 3 more pieces from me:
Lesson in Integrity: Men With Mistresses Shouldn’t Use That Sexist Term
Made in Germany: Hamburg Cafe Takes a Hilarious Approach to Social Distancing
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