On Tuesday, a Kent County jury seated in the 17th Circuit Court returned guilty verdicts on Daniel Callahan, 60, of Fruitport, on charges of False Report or Threat of Terrorism and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Each offense is a 20-year felony.
“Threats against public officials must be taken seriously, first and foremost, to protect their lives but also to protect the essential functions of our public safety and justice systems,” said Nessel. “My office will hold accountable those who try to intimidate public servants with violence. I am thankful the jury saw the serious, dangerous and criminal nature of Callahan’s threats against the courts.”
Callahan was charged in April of last year for threats he made in a pleading he filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals in a civil case following a threatening statement he made during oral arguments. In February of 2023, while appearing before the Michigan Court of Appeals’ 4th District Court in Lansing, Callahan expressed frustration with the government by asking on the record, “What is it going to take, somebody to get shot before the State acts on it?” Later that month, he filed a pleading in the same case stating that if the Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court did not act “lawfully” and grant his requested relief, they and other entities would earn a “future Performance Award for MSU Stage Act 2 West Michigan 2023.” This was understood by court employees to be a threat to commit a mass shooting similar to the one that had occurred at Michigan State University only ten days prior.
A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.
“Threats against public officials must be taken seriously, first and foremost, to protect their lives but also to protect the essential functions of our public safety and justice systems,” said Nessel. “My office will hold accountable those who try to intimidate public servants with violence. I am thankful the jury saw the serious, dangerous and criminal nature of Callahan’s threats against the courts.”
Callahan was charged in April of last year for threats he made in a pleading he filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals in a civil case following a threatening statement he made during oral arguments. In February of 2023, while appearing before the Michigan Court of Appeals’ 4th District Court in Lansing, Callahan expressed frustration with the government by asking on the record, “What is it going to take, somebody to get shot before the State acts on it?” Later that month, he filed a pleading in the same case stating that if the Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court did not act “lawfully” and grant his requested relief, they and other entities would earn a “future Performance Award for MSU Stage Act 2 West Michigan 2023.” This was understood by court employees to be a threat to commit a mass shooting similar to the one that had occurred at Michigan State University only ten days prior.
A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
