A 32-year-old Vanderbilt man has been charged with threatening the Otsego County Circuit Court Chief Judge on Facebook.
On Monday, Jonathan Brisson was arraigned in an Otsego County court on one court of communicating a false threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony. He was given a $50,000 cash/surety bond and ordered to have no contact with the judge or the court building. Brisson also cannot possess firearms, alcohol or drugs, and if released, was ordered to undergo a community mental health evaluation prior to release.
“Threats against public officials will not be tolerated by my office,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. “The facts of this case include very direct and detailed threats that cross the line between free speech and criminal behavior.”
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Brisson posted posted several times to Facebook over the course of two days at the beginning of January with direct threats toward the chief judge, including saying he challenges the judge to a duel, threatening decapitation and “leading the civil war against the children in office.”
When interviewed by deputies, Brisson admitted he wrote the posts and said he was angry the judge granted a personal protection order (PPO) against him.
A probable cause conference for Brisson is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 20.
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