FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - A Lake Havasu City man has been charged with making threats against U.S. House Speaker John Boehner via Twitter that included a picture of the congressman with crosshairs on his forehead.
Ronald Dean Frazier was released from custody following a hearing Wednesday. He’s scheduled to appear in court again later this month.
U.S. Magistrate Mark Aspey made clear during Wednesday’s proceeding that threats against public officials are taken seriously even if they’re not carried out.
Authorities say Frazier posted tweets over a 12-day period that included death threats against Boehner and his wife.
Frazier told authorities he had no intent to harm Boehner. He said he wrote the tweets in a drunken rant and as a joke.
Frazier’s attorney, U.S. Capitol Police and Boehner’s office all declined to comment.
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