Michigan Man Arrested After Alleged Threats Towards Governor, Biden

(Reuters) – A Michigan man was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of firearms after he made dying threats towards Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and President Joe Biden, the U.S. Justice Department mentioned on Friday.

Federal brokers, after receiving a web-based tip this week from YouTube proprietor Google, uncovered threats posted on YouTube, which additionally included threats to members of the LGBTQ neighborhood and FBI brokers, in keeping with a prison criticism filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

An investigation led to Randall Robert Berka II, who lives in Sebewaing, Michigan, and was illegally within the possession of firearms after having been dedicated to a psychological establishment and whereas a each day person of marijuana, the Justice Department mentioned. Berka, 30, illegally possessed 4 firearms, three lengthy weapons and a pistol, the Justice Department mentioned.

Berka faces as much as 15 years in jail if convicted.

The Justice Department mentioned that amongst statements Berka posted had been: “im going to kill these democrats biden deserves to die” and “im gonna kill lgbt freaks.”

At his preliminary courtroom look on Friday, a federal choose ordered Berka to be detained pending one other listening to on March 15, USA Prime Time reported.

Whitmer has been threatened beforehand, together with a plot to kidnap her in 2020. Late final 12 months, a right-wing militia member was sentenced to over 19 years in jail and one other ringleader sentenced to 16 years over the foiled plot.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters.