UPDATE: Press release from U.S. Attorney's Office-
WELLSVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH SENDING MESSAGES THREATENING TO KILL ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jonathan Kemp, 21, of Wellsville, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with interstate communication threatening to injure a person. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in November 2018, an individual (Victim) told the New York State Police that the defendant had previously physically assaulted the Victim on many different occasions. On one occasion, Kemp allegedly choked and threatened the Victim with a pocket knife if the Victim didn’t shut up. The victim stated that Kemp asked “if I wanted him to kill me.” The victim also stated that Kemp began sending threatening text messages on the morning of November 5, 2018. One message stated: “I WILL ACTUALLY KILL YOU.”
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Guyton.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
ORIGINAL POST:
Residents in the Village of Wellsville were buzzing Wednesday morning over things they saw...and things they heard. Around 5 a.m., an FBI Critical Incident Response Group raided a home on State Street. New York State Police K-9 assisted and village police were also in the area. It's believed that at least one person was taken into custody. The FBI has not commented on the charges or provided any information. WRN has reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office and is waiting for a response (they have reached out and said they plan to provide me with new information in a few hours). Some residents reported hearing what they thought were flash bangs while another said there were four loud noises.
Wellsville Police Chief Tim O'Grady said he was notified by the FBI Tuesday afternoon, that a tactical team was planning an operation in the village. O'Grady said the FBI arrived before sunrise, executed the operation and was gone within an hour.
One local resident record audio from the FBI as they announced "come out with your hands up. Keep your hands in the air where we can see them. We don't want to see anyone get hurt...come out now."
One local resident record audio from the FBI as they announced "come out with your hands up. Keep your hands in the air where we can see them. We don't want to see anyone get hurt...come out now."
Law enforcement staged at Riverwalk Plaza, which prompted workers and shoppers to become concerned.
