Press Release
Kirkland Resident Sentenced for Interstate Threats to Kill
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington
Posted Threats to Kill Police Following Events in Ferguson, Missouri
A Kirkland, Washington resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two months in prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. JALEEL TARIQ ABDUL-JABBAAR, 46, was arrested December 2, 2014, after he made threats on Facebook against a former Ferguson, Missouri Police Officer. ABDUL-JABBAAR pleaded guilty on February 2, 2015 and was released from custody. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik recognized that everyone involved in the case has worked hard to obtain a just outcome that ensures public safety. Judge Lasnik noted that the U.S. Supreme court is considering a case concerning Facebook threats. “It is an area of the law that is in a state of flux,” Judge Lasnik said. Judge Lasnik emphasized that ABDUL-JABBAAR had to comply with a series of conditions as part of his court supervision and specifically ordered that ABDUL-JABBAAR’s internet use be monitored by probation and law enforcement during his three year term of supervised release.
According to records in the case, ABDUL-JABBAAR started posting threats on his Facebook page shortly after the August 9, 2014 shooting of Michael Brown. The threats continued through late November. ABDUL-JABBAAR posted various statements about killing police officers and traveling to Ferguson, Missouri. Among others, ABDUL-JABBAAR stated: “We need to kill (the officer) and anything that has a badge on.” ABDUL-JABBAAR also used Facebook communications to discuss acquiring a firearm.
The case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
Updated March 20, 2015
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