Rossford man faces federal charges for Facebook threat against police

0

ROSSFORD – A city man is facing federal charges after he allegedly threatened the Rossford Police
Department on Facebook earlier this year.
Justin Eckenrode, 27, Rossford, is facing one federal count of interstate communication of a threat.
According to an affidavit by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Andre Miller filed
Dec. 18 in U.S. District Court of Toledo, Eckenrode posted two threatening statements on the Rossford
Police Department’s Facebook page, stating "so I guess its that time for me if you come to my house
for any reason you will die…sry" and "WHAT YOU WAITING FOR THE DEATH OF OTHERS? That should
be my only curse."
When approached by police at his home, Eckenrode "admitted to using Facebook the night before but
claimed to be very drunk. He said he could not remember what he posted on Facebook."
Eckenrode claimed that he receives disability benefits for "asthma, anxiety, and depression."

While at the residence, police found a Smith & Wesson MP-15 .223 caliber semiautomatic rifle, a
30-round magazine, a 10-round magazine, and 40 rounds of ammunition.
Eckenrode was initially arrested for aggravated menacing and was later released. He was officially
arrested on the federal change on Dec. 19.
The interstate communication of a threat charge stems from the fact that Facebook "is an
internet-based social networking site which communicates outside the State of Ohio. The internet uses
interstate electronic means to convey data."
Eckenrode has been ordered held in custody until his trial, according to a detention order issued
Thursday. He is being represented by Federal Public Defender Andrew Hart.

No posts to display