Man Sentenced to Prison for Facebook Threats

EUGENE, Ore. – Timothy Loren McCoy Fleming, 24, a transient with no permanent residence, was sentenced yesterday, March 7, 2016,  to 18 months in federal prison for transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.   Fleming pled guilty last September to communicating a threat in interstate commerce, via Facebook, to kill or injure a police officer.

According to a sentencing memorandum filed by the U. S. Attorney’s Office, in January 2015, the Albany Police Department in Albany, Oregon received a call from Fleming’s sister, reporting that Fleming had posted Facebook threats to kill a police officer at Albany city hall.   Fleming’s posts included statements like “stash the salvation in my pocket, safety off, trigger finger cold and willing,” and  “walk into Albany city hall, smile at the uniform as I pass him in the hall, turn round, salvation speaks, a roaring sound, uniform goes down, no armor on the head makes a corrupt cop dead.” 

Fleming’s Facebook postings included a picture of a hand holding a pistol and a picture of the front door of Albany city hall.  When police apprehended Fleming, he was carrying an inoperable pellet gun that matched the pistol in the Facebook posting.

Before being sentenced, Fleming apologized to the Albany Police and FBI.  Judge Michael McShane cited Fleming’s mental illness, homelessness and inoperable gun as factors warranting less prison time.   Judge McShane ordered Fleming to participate in a mental health treatment program and to stay at a residential reentry center upon his release from prison.

This case was investigated by the Albany Police Department and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney William “Bud” Fitzgerald was the prosecutor.