A Binghamton man has been charged with making threats to President Donald Trump and federal agents using interstate communications.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of New York on March 10 announced that Jeffrey Scott Hamm, Jr., 32, made an initial appearance in Binghamton’s federal court on Feb. 27 after he was charged for allegedly posting YouTube comments on multiple dates in January that threatened violence against President Trump, unnamed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and supporters of the president.
In a statement, First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said his office, in collaboration with the FBI, will pursue anyone who makes such threats “swiftly and aggressively.”
“The defendant would have been better off saving his breath − now he’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his words while facing the consequences for them in federal court,” Sarcone III said. “Threats of this nature will not be tolerated, and anyone who ignores this warning will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli said this arrest should prove to others that if you are making threats, “the FBI will find you and hold you accountable.”
“Threats of violence against the President, public officials, law enforcement or any member of our community are illegal and will not be tolerated,” Tremaroli said. “FBI Albany will continue to leverage the partnerships and resources of our Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to identify, investigate and ensure anyone taking part in such illegal activity is brought to justice.”
The charge against Hamm carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Hamm has been detained pending further proceedings.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton man charged with making online threats to Trump, ICE agents
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
