Rochester Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill the President

        ROCHESTER, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Ronnie Parker, 44, of Geneva, N.Y., was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a direct threat to kill the President of the United States. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant threatened to kill President Barack Obama during an interview with United States Secret Service Agents.

The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson. Parker is being held pending a detention hearing on March 5, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.

The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge, Tracy Gast.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.