Ohio Man Charged with Threatening Public Officials and a Columbus TV Station
An Ohio man has been charged with federal crimes after being accused of sending at least 65 threatening letters and electronic communications to approximately 34 victims, including public officials, law enforcement and local CBS affiliate WBNS.
Ronald Lidderdale, 39, has been charged with making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking.
Agents caught a break after a local news organization was sent a letter with white power on February 11. That date coincided with a letter with white powder received by Tegna owned WBNS.
At times, he allegedly claimed the white powder was Ricin. One letter contained a 9mm bullet with the last name of the public official etched on it.
According to charging documents, Lidderdale allegedly sent threats to publicly elected officials holding statewide office in Ohio, elected officials holding office in the federal government, and individuals involved in Ohio politics.
"Perpetrators who violate federal law by sending such serious threats in the mail or online will not remain anonymous. Actual or threatened political violence in any form must be condemned," said Acting United States Attorney Kelly A. Norris. "We will work with our law enforcement partners to identify these bad actors and prosecute them."
Court documents allege that Lidderdale sent a letter to a local TV station and emails to federal and local law enforcement outlining his plans.
We asked Tegna about it, but were met with a no comment.
"Targeting public officials with threatening messages and substances is a serious federal crime that won't go unpunished," stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. "FBI agents have worked closely with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate these incidents and arrest the suspected offender."
Mailing threatening communications carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, conveying false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking are all federal crimes punishable by up to five years in prison.
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