St. Thomas Man Arrested for Sending Threatening Text Messages to Gas Station
| FBI San Juan January 27, 2012 |
SAN JUAN, PR—On January 27, 2012, RUDY COOK, age 43, was arrested by the FBI for sending threatening text messages to the owner of Boynes Trucking, Inc. Boynes Trucking is a gas station and fuel storage facility located in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). COOK is charged with willfully making a threat to kill, injure, or intimidate while using a telephone.
The criminal complaint alleges that on January 17, 2012 and also on January 23, 2012, the owner of Boynes Trucking, Inc. received on her cellular telephone threatening text messages. The text message received on January 17, 2012 made reference to the killing of employees and the destruction of her business. In addition, the text message received on January 23, 2012 again made threats to Boynes Trucking facility and its employees.
Investigation revealed that the subscriber and owner of the telephone which sent the threatening text messages was RUDY COOK, an employee of Boynes Trucking, Inc. and resident of St. Thomas, USVI.
If convicted, COOK faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
“We live in an era where all bomb threats, no matter where and when they occur, are taken seriously and fully investigated by the FBI. Any individual or individuals responsible for making these threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, which can lead to substantial time in jail for the perpetrators of this federal violation,” said Joseph Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI-San Juan Field Office.
Police Commissioner Designate Henry W. White stated: “This arrest was the result of a collaboration between the FBI and the Virgin Islands Police Department. We look forward to the continuation of such endeavors and positive working relationships in the future.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ishmael Meyers.
The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.