Brent G. Dickinson , 33, of Saratoga Springs, New York is accused of threatening to assassinate President Barack Obama, reports Politico.com
U.S. Secret Service and local authorities collaborated to arrest the man — who also stands accused of threatening to murder school children — after he posted two threatening comments on the White House message board.
Dickinson was charged with two counts of making terroristic threats. His bail bond was set at $100,000 and cash bond was set at $50,000.
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District Attorney James A. Murphy III said that at 11 p.m. Friday night, Dickinson left the threatening messages and his office took them very seriously:
“In both instances, it is alleged that the defendant intended to murder the intended targets,” Murphy said. “While the threat was not specific as to which elementary school, I believe we can never be too careful, especially in light of the recent case of the horrific school shooting in Ohio and elsewhere across the country.”
Authorities say that the the school in question was alerted and all precautions were taken. Murphy focused on the recent rash of school violence as an example of why immediate and thorough security is necessary:
“… I believe we can never be too careful, especially in light of the recent case of the horrific school shooting in Ohio and elsewhere across the country. The attorneys in my office and the police officers who worked together just on this one case well past midnight, were gratified to know that because of their efforts and the efforts of the U.S. Secret Service agents, no harm came to anyone, especially to young children.”
Dickinson faces up to 7 years if convicted.
According to the Telegraph in 2009, death threats against the president have increased “400 percent from the 3,000 a year or so under President George W. Bush,” according to Ronald Kessler, author of In the President’s Secret Service.
