A former sheriff’s deputy in Massachusetts has been indicted on Wednesday for purportedly issuing threats to detonate a courthouse and inflict harm upon law enforcement personnel.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy conveyed that a federal grand jury indicted Joshua Ford, aged 42 and residing in Kingston, Massachusetts, on three counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications.

In the event of conviction, Ford could potentially face imprisonment for up to five years, accompanied by three years of supervised release and fines reaching $250,000 for each count, the Associated Press reports.

Currently held in state custody, Ford is alleged to have dispatched roughly a dozen emails to approximately 140 recipients, the majority of whom are Massachusetts law enforcement officers.

These messages reportedly called for assistance in incinerating the Plymouth County Courthouse, as well as causing severe harm to court officers by breaking their limbs and ending the lives of court security officers.

Additionally, Ford is said to have implored law enforcement officers to congregate at the courthouse with gasoline, explosives, firearms, and SWAT teams on March 14. Subsequent to the dispatch of the emails, Ford was apprehended on March 13.

The motives behind Ford’s actions remain unclear. However, the indictment references his belief in the corruption of the justice system.

A contact number for Ford could not be located, and it is uncertain whether he has legal representation.

Written by staff