BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted a Birmingham man for threatening the life of President Barack Obama on the social network Twitter, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Roy Sexton.

A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges JARVIS BRITTON, 25, with knowingly threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict bodily harm on the president by tweeting the message, “Let’s kill the president. F.E.A.R.,” on Sept. 14.

“Threats on the life of the president of the United States are a serious matter. We will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” Vance said.

Britton was arrested Sept. 21 and charged by criminal complaint for threatening the president. In a detention hearing today, U.S. Magistrate Judge T. Michael Putnam took testimony from two individuals willing to supervise the defendant on bond, if granted. The judge should rule on the defendant’s bond request Thursday afternoon.

The Secret Service investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy is prosecuting.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges. It is the government’s responsibility to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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