Troy Man Arrested For Threatening President Trump and Others On Social Media

A Capital Region man has been arrested after allegedly threatening President Donald Trump, and others, via social media posts.

According to Spodek Law, it is a federal felony to “knowingly and willfully” threaten to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm on the President, Vice President, President-elect, or anyone in the line of succession. The statute don’t require that you actually intend to carry out the threat—making the threat is the crime. Here's what happened.

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On Thursday March 12th, New York State Police are reporting, investigators from the New York State Police Counterterrorism Intelligence Unit in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) notified State Police Brunswick of antisemitic social media postings.

The investigation identified a man from Troy, NY as the owner of the profile allegedly publishing threatening material directed toward a local religious leader, members of the Jewish community and the U.S. President.

On March 12th, New York State Police of Brunswick with the assistance of the New York State Police Counterterrorism Intelligence Unit and The Federal Bureau of Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Forces arrested 45-year-old Joshua J. Wood of Troy, NY for Aggravated Harassment 2nd, a class “E” felony (Bias related).

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Posting threats on social media, even in the "heat of the moment," is considered actionable and is investigated thoroughly. Wood was arrested and processed at State Police Brunswick. He was arraigned at the Schaghticoke Town Court where he was released on his own recognizance.