Law enforcers announced late Friday afternoon that a Buffalo man has been charged with making a threat of violence on social media against members of the Buffalo Police Department. The arrest was announced one week after Commissioner Daniel Derenda first reported a "credible threat" against officers.
U.S. Attorney William Hochul announced that 23-year-old Arthur Jordan was charged with threatening to injure or kill a police officer. It's a federal offense that carries a sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
"In his possession was a loaded .380 handgun," Hochul said. "He also indicated, as we have set forth in court papers, statements to the effect that had he committed what he was thinking to do, he would have been famous. He would have been on CNN."
Jordan was described by authorities as someone with ties to the Buffalo-based Central Park Gang. His threat, according to authorities, was posted as a Facebook response to another peer who expressed worry that Buffalo Police would soon use the same deadly force as was used just days before in Louisiana and Minnesota.
Jordan's post, as detailed in the complaint, states "Let's Start Killin Police Lets See How Dey Like It" followed by six consecutive 'angry face' emojis.
Commissioner Derenda stated that other alleged threats are being looked at.
"There are several ongoing investigations," he said.
