Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido has announced two separate cases in which defendants were charged for allegedly using computers and social media to issue threats against members of the judiciary and law enforcement.
Andrew Roberts, a 42-year-old man from Warren, has been arraigned on multiple charges after allegedly using a computer to send threats concerning a Warren police officer, the Warren police department and Warren District Judge Suzanne Faunce.
It is alleged that on or about Monday, October 27, a local scanner website contacted the Warren police about private messages it received.
One message stated, “Death to Warren PD.” Another read, “When this starts to happen you’ll know why,” accompanied by an image of an armed subject shooting a handgun near the driver’s seat of a marked police vehicle.
Additional messages allegedly said, “Death to Judge Faunce,” and “Death to Chris Wells with Warren PD.”
Roberts was arraigned last Thursday before 39th District Court Judge Kathleen E. Tocco in the 39th District Court on the following charges:
• False Report or Threat of Terrorism, a 20-year felony
• Computers – Using to Commit a Crime, a 20-year felony
Roberts also faces a Habitual Offender – Fourth Offense Notice, which Lucido said could result in life imprisonment.
Roberts is scheduled for a probable cause conference next week.
Roberts was also separately charged with resisting and obstructing arrest related to his alleged conduct during his arrest in this matter.
In the second case, Lucido said Cole Daniel Rapp, a 27-year-old man from New York City, was arraigned on multiple charges after allegedly using a computer to send threats concerning Romeo District Judge Jennifer Andary.
It is alleged that on or about Sunday, Sept. 14, Rapp posted an image on Facebook depicting Andary in a coffin with the caption, “Pray about this.”
The same image was reportedly used as both his profile picture and background. Another post allegedly contained a video of a pot being stirred, accompanied by music with lyrics stating, “Judge in this town has bloodstains on his hands.”
Rapp was arraigned late last month before 42-2 District Court Judge William H. Hackel III on the following charges:
• Unlawful Posting of a Message, 2-year felony
• Computers – Using to Commit a Crime, 1-year misdemeanor
• Cyberbullying, 93-day misdemeanor
• Telecommunications Services, Malicious Use, 6-month misdemeanor
Rapp is scheduled for a probable cause conference on November 24.
“Threats or acts of intimidation against judges strike at the very heart of our justice system. Such behavior will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will be held fully accountable under the law,” said Lucido.
Andrew Roberts, a 42-year-old man from Warren, has been arraigned on multiple charges after allegedly using a computer to send threats concerning a Warren police officer, the Warren police department and Warren District Judge Suzanne Faunce.
It is alleged that on or about Monday, October 27, a local scanner website contacted the Warren police about private messages it received.
One message stated, “Death to Warren PD.” Another read, “When this starts to happen you’ll know why,” accompanied by an image of an armed subject shooting a handgun near the driver’s seat of a marked police vehicle.
Additional messages allegedly said, “Death to Judge Faunce,” and “Death to Chris Wells with Warren PD.”
Roberts was arraigned last Thursday before 39th District Court Judge Kathleen E. Tocco in the 39th District Court on the following charges:
• False Report or Threat of Terrorism, a 20-year felony
• Computers – Using to Commit a Crime, a 20-year felony
Roberts also faces a Habitual Offender – Fourth Offense Notice, which Lucido said could result in life imprisonment.
Roberts is scheduled for a probable cause conference next week.
Roberts was also separately charged with resisting and obstructing arrest related to his alleged conduct during his arrest in this matter.
In the second case, Lucido said Cole Daniel Rapp, a 27-year-old man from New York City, was arraigned on multiple charges after allegedly using a computer to send threats concerning Romeo District Judge Jennifer Andary.
It is alleged that on or about Sunday, Sept. 14, Rapp posted an image on Facebook depicting Andary in a coffin with the caption, “Pray about this.”
The same image was reportedly used as both his profile picture and background. Another post allegedly contained a video of a pot being stirred, accompanied by music with lyrics stating, “Judge in this town has bloodstains on his hands.”
Rapp was arraigned late last month before 42-2 District Court Judge William H. Hackel III on the following charges:
• Unlawful Posting of a Message, 2-year felony
• Computers – Using to Commit a Crime, 1-year misdemeanor
• Cyberbullying, 93-day misdemeanor
• Telecommunications Services, Malicious Use, 6-month misdemeanor
Rapp is scheduled for a probable cause conference on November 24.
“Threats or acts of intimidation against judges strike at the very heart of our justice system. Such behavior will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will be held fully accountable under the law,” said Lucido.
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