a day ago
NYPD won't arrest those behind death threats against ex-cops
An NYPD sergeant allegedly made online death threats against two podcasting ex-NYPD cops and their kids, then quit without facing criminal charges, officials confirmed.
Retired lieutenants John Macari Jr. and Eric Dym, whose 'New York's Finest: Retired & Unfiltered Podcast' often blasts NYPD leadership, reported a series of online threats in January to the department's Internal Affairs bureau because they suspected that New York's Finest were involved.
The most alarming posts showed up on Instagram under the handle 'allcopsarewoke' or 'ACAW.'
5 ACAW was the acronym for @allcopsarewoke, the Instagram user who posted the threatening image of a semi-automatic rifle.
Obtained by the New York Post
At least two posts included stock images of children. One said, 'Hopefully nothing happens to your family. Kids are a precious thing.' The other said, 'Very nice kids you have. Hopefully they live a long life.'
One post had a photo of a semi-automatic rifle with the message: 'ACAW is after your home now. #Stayviligant(sic).'
Another showed a US map with roads pointing to Florida — where both ex-cops have homes. 'Our time on Earth is limited. Let's make it count,' it said.
The no-holds-barred podcast on policing has irked NYPD brass. Among hot topics, the co-hosts and their guests have questioned NYPD stats and disputed Mayor Adams' boasts that crime is down.
In an episode last year, the podcast took aim at a Bronx hotspot favored by the mayor, other top cops and politicians — Con Sofrito — a restaurant and bar owned by former Police Commissioner Ed Caban's brother Richard, the subject of a city investigation.
5 An ominous post by @allcopsarewoke showed a map of the southern US with roads leading to Florida, where the ex-cop podcasters have homes in different parts of the state.
Obtained by the New York Post
Soon after Macari and Dym complained about the threats, the NYPD identified the prime suspect as Sgt. Shawn Mohabir, 30, and suspended him without pay, according to records confirmed by a department spokesperson.
Mohabir, who made $147,114 after five years on the job, resigned in March.
Macari and Dym, both retired since 2022, said they never worked with Mohabir, or even met him.
5 Ex-lieutenant Eric Dym co-hosts 'New York's Finest: Retired & Unfiltered,' a podcast that critiques NYPD leadership.
Courtesy of Eric Dym
5 John Macari Jr., an ex-NYPD lieutenant, co-hosts the no-holds-barred podcast which has irked NYPD brass.
John Macari/ Instagram
The NYPD would not explain Mohabir's assignment or duties.
Macari and Dym said they repeatedly asked the NYPD to file criminal charges against Mohabir.
'When this maniac does something, it's on them, not us,' Macari told The Post. 'The NYPD investigation was nothing but a cover up.'
The NYPD insists the ex-cops should make complaints to their local police in Florida, where Macari lives and Dym has an apartment in another part of the state. At the time, Dym was traveling in Asia when his 8-year-old son came down with a lethal brain cancer.
At 8:38 on April 26, a Saturday night, NYPD Internal Affairs Rutherford phoned the St. Johns Sheriff's Office in Florida, telling the dispatcher he wanted to 'refer a complaint' about threats against Macari, giving the ex-cop's address. Rutherford did not explain the threats were 15 months old.
Four minutes later, two deputies startled Macari by showing up at his home to check on him. The deputies left after finding Macari okay, and took no further action, a spokesman confirmed.
The NYPD could have done more, law-enforcement experts say.
5 Threats aimed at two ex-cop podcasters had stock images of children and a menacing message.
Obtained by the New York Post
The use of email, texts or social media to frighten someone violates US laws against 'interstate transmission of threats,' said Scott Duffy, a former FBI agent and director of the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University.
Duffy said it makes sense for the NYPD to file charges in New York, where the threats emanated.
'The NYPD should have filed the complaint and worked with their federal partners,' Dym said.
Macari and Dym speculate department brass could have orchestrated a series of derisive anonymous posts against them, culminating in the threats.
An NYPD spokeswoman said 'multiple' department members have been disciplined in connection with the threats. She would not elaborate. Reached by phone, Mohabir hung up and did not return messages.
