Mansfield Man Sentenced to Prison for Sending Threats Through Facebook and Illegal Possession of a Firearm

U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that Bryan Shane Wolfe, 45, of Mansfield, Ohio, was sentenced today by Judge Donald C. Nugent to 46 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in August of 2021 to sending threatening communications to three individuals and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. 

“This defendant deliberately chose to send threats to his victims due to their race, religion and ethnicity,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “These actions were targeted, occurred on more than one occasion and caused lasting harm.  Today’s sentence illustrates that threats made online have real consequences and may result in real prison time.”  

"The defendant will now serve significant time in prison as a result of his despicable conduct," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith.  "Social media threats of this magnitude will not be tolerated and are taken seriously. The FBI is committed to investigating threats such as these due to the severe impact they can have on victims."

According to court documents, on November 2, 2019, Wolfe, through his Facebook account, sent pictures and messages to victim T.J. (an African American individual) threatening to kidnap members of the victim’s family while also making racial slurs.

Again, on September 8, 2020, Wolfe, using his Facebook account, sent victim E.H. (an Arab American individual) messages threatening to burn a Quran in the victim’s yard and further sent the victim a picture of E.H.’s home and a bonfire.  Wolfe also referred to E.H. using slurs and derogatory terms.

Finally, on September 13, 2020, Wolfe, again from his Facebook account, sent messages to victim J.M. threatening to kill the victim’s biracial children and included a picture of the victim’s children.  Wolfe also referred to J.M. using slurs and derogatory terms.

On September 18, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Wolfe and recovered a pistol in plain sight.  Wolfe is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to his prior conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in Morrow County Municipal Court.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, Kentwood, Michigan Police Department and with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bryson N. Gillard.