Toledo Man Charged For Threats Against AOC Gets What He Deserves

By
Carissa House-Dunphy
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The political divide in the United States has led the country to a dark and dangerous place. A mass shooter in El Paso, Texas killed 20 people and injured many more in a Wal-Mart after posting a manifesto online ranting about immigrants “invading” the country. A Florida man was charged with 20 years in prison for sending pipe bombs to enemies of the president, including media personalities, former national leaders, and anti-Trump celebrities. A police officer was fired for making threats against a sitting member of Congress, a woman who the president has often tweeted rants against. On Friday, another man who threatened that congresswoman, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was charged in court.

The Toledo man posted on his Facebook page that Ocasio-Cortez “should be shot” and boasted that he couldn’t be fired like the police officer had been because his employer “would load the gun for me.” As a felon and a fugitive, Timothy Ireland was arrested and charged with three new felonies as a result.

The Toledo Blade reports that:

‘Timothy J. Ireland, Jr., 41, was charged in U.S. District Court in Toledo with being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a fugitive in possession of a firearm, and making interstate threats.

‘The count of threatening comes with a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while the two firearms charges each carry a maximum 10-year sentence.’

Previous reports have shown that the congresswoman, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) who has also been a target for Trump and the GOP’s ire, receives an astonishing number of death threats, many that are taken quite seriously by her security team. While Ireland may not be alone in his sentiments, his reach a new level of stupidity since he made the threats publicly and led police to his door while outstanding warrants with his name on them had already been issued.

‘The United States Capitol Police received information on July 23 that threatening statements were posted on Facebook, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. The statements were perceived to be threats against Ms. Ocasio-Cortez.

‘A screen shot was provided to Capitol Police of a news story related to the congressman with linked comments that stated: “She should be shot. Can’t fire me, my employer would load the gun for me.”

Ireland had also posted on Facebook that he agreed with Trump that the four progressive, Democratic congresswomen known as “the Squad,” each of whom are U.S. citizens since three were born in the U.S. and one became a legal citizen at the age of 17, should “go back” to their home countries. Although the Trump team was quick to insist that the statement wasn’t racist, it’s an old trope that’s been used against black and brown Americans for decades. Ireland highlights all of what is wrong with the growing violence coming out of the Trump voting base.

‘A criminal history check revealed Ireland had outstanding warrants for felony failure to appear in court in Sarasota County, Fla., and a misdemeanor failure to appear related to a marijuana possession charge in Cook County, Ga., officials said. Further review revealed Ireland had been convicted in 1996 in Sarasota County of four felony counts of dealing in stolen property.

‘USCP and ATF agents searched Ireland’s residence at 234 Kosciusko St. on Aug. 8. He was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant in Florida. A search revealed three rounds of .32-caliber ammunition and four rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.’

Featured image via Flickr by nrkbeta under a Creative Commons license



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