Pair Charged in Threat Case

Keith L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Cincinnati Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced that a federal complaint has been filed charging Frank Lee Harmon, Jr. and Dennis Bryan Ruble, of Miami Township, Ohio, with violating Title 18, U.S. Code Section 875, Interstate Threats. Violations of the charged statute are punishable by imprisonment of up to five years.

The federal complaint alleges that Harmon conveyed telephonic threats to personnel at the VA National Suicide Prevention Hotline in New York late on Sunday October 24, 2010. He is alleged to have stated that he and his friend were “combat marines” and that they were going to “blow the roof off” an unspecified location. A VA employee called back and Harmon is alleged to have stated he had been discharged from the VA for being a “nutbag” and that he wanted to kill people. The VA employee called back again and Ruble is alleged to have stated that he and Harmon planned to assault a VA Medical Center with an AK-47. A VA employee eventually persuaded Ruble and Harmon to go to a VA Medical Center and seek treatment. The complaint further alleges that early on October 25, both Harmon and Ruble appeared at the Dayton VA Medical Center. VA Police detained them and located ammunition on Harmon’s person and in a vehicle in which they were traveling. Later that day, FBI agents and Miami Township police officers searched Ruble’s apartment and found loaded weapons and ammunition. Both Harmon and Ruble previously served in the U.S. Marines Corps.

Harmon and Ruble were arrested on the federal charges this afternoon and will receive an initial appearance on those charges this afternoon.

SAC Bennett thanked the VA Police and the Miami Township Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

The public is reminded that criminal complaints contain only allegations of criminal misconduct and that a defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.