Latest news with #Lidderdale
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ohio man charged with threatening violence in letters to state officials, law enforcement
May 12 (UPI) -- An Ohio man has been charged with federal crimes for threatening violence in dozens of letters and emails directed at state officials, law enforcement and the media, according to the Justice Department. Ronald Lidderdale, 39, was charged Friday with making interstate communications with "a threat to kidnap or injure, mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes and cyberstalking." According to charging documents, Lidderdale is accused of sending more than 49 letters containing suspicious white powders, which he claimed was Ricin. Another letter contained a 9mm bullet with the last name of a public official etched on it. In the dozens of letters mailed between July and August, Lidderdale is accused of threatening violence against each recipient, saying, "I will kill you for your ignorant loyalty to your pedophilic party" or "I will kill you for the good of The People. Your death will come when you least expect it," according to court documents. Court documents also say the New Albany man recently sent a letter to a local TV station, as well as emails to local law enforcement, outlining his alleged plans to kill eight individuals this month. Last week, Lidderdale told the FBI that the letters and emails were meant to incite fear with the goal of changing behavior, according to agents. If convicted, Lidderdale could face years in federal prison. The maximum penalty for mailing threatening communications is up to 10 years in prison. The penalty for making interstate communications, with a threat to kidnap or injure, conveying false information and cyberstalking are also federal crimes and punishable by up to five years in prison. "Targeting public officials with threatening messages and substances is a serious federal crime that won't go unpunished," said FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena latarola. "FBI agents worked closely with our local, state and federal partners to investigate these incidents and arrest the suspected offender."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘I will kill you;' Man accused of sending threatening letters to Ohio officials
An Ohio man has been charged with a felony after being accused of sending multiple letters to almost three dozen victims, threatening to kill Ohio officials. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ronald Lidderdale, 39, was in court Friday. He is charged with making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes and cyberstalking. TRENDING STORIES: Local industrial facility closing; over 100 employees impacted Officers replace drugs with fakes in Dayton methamphetamine conspiracy case Coroner releases cause of death for former OSU player found dead in his apartment Law enforcement believes Lidderdale sent the threatening letters to public officials, including Ohio politicians, federal politicians and people involved in Ohio politics. Lidderdale is accused of sending at least 49 letters which contained suspicious white powders. Some letters even claimed the powder was ricin, a deadly poison. So far, 29 victims have received letters with white powder in them. One letter contained a 9mm bullet with the recipient's last name engraved on it. The letters contained threats against the officials like, 'I will kill you for your ignorant loyalty to your pedophilic party' and 'I will kill you for the good of The People. Your death will come when you least expect it.' Lidderdale allegedly sent letters to victims, a local TV station and law enforcement with a hit list of the eight people he planned to kill in May. Lidderdale is facing years in prison, with mailing threatening letters having a maximum sentence of 10 years and all other charges up to five years. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
