“A certain danger”: Judge detains man accused of threatening Nancy Pelosi and D.C. mayor

A person accused of threatening to kill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser in disturbing textual content messages final week has been ordered detained earlier than trial. A choose on Thursday mentioned 53-year-old Cleveland Meredith of North Carolina would pose a “certain danger” to the neighborhood have been he to be launched. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Harvey mentioned the federal government has a robust case to show Meredith made a “true threat,” which means that he communicated a severe intent to trigger hurt within the wake of the January 6 assault on the Capitol. Harvey referred to as Meredith’s alleged threats “numerous, graphic, and of a level of intensity of concern to the court.”

“If I had a more concerning threats case come before me, I don’t remember it,” Harvey mentioned. “It’s certainly right up there.”

Harvey mentioned he was particularly involved as a result of Meredith drove from Colorado to Washington, D.C., with a cache of weapons and ammunition. Harvey mentioned that made the threats stand out from others he evaluations, made on-line by people who find themselves removed from their alleged goal.

“You drove all the way across the country from Colorado, and brought with you the means to make good on your threats,” Harvey mentioned.

Meredith is dealing with federal costs of transmitting a menace in interstate commerce, possession of an unregistered firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He appeared nearly at Thursday’s detention listening to, and gave the impression to be wiping tears from his eyes because the continuing obtained underway. Later, he held his head in his fingers.

Federal prosecutors say Meredith meant to be in D.C. to participate within the January 6 riot, which left 5 individuals useless, however arrived afterward as a result of his automobile broke down. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Baset mentioned Meredith despatched textual content messages whereas en path to D.C. on January 6 and whereas in D.C. the next day that contained “misogynistic and violent rhetoric” and “horrific” and “unparalleled” threats.

According to a prosecution courtroom submitting, Meredith described driving to D.C. for “target practice,” referenced “war time” and mentioned he was “strategizing on best way to assault this city.” 

“I’m so ready to FK SOME TRAITORS UP,” one textual content learn, in line with the submitting.

The day following the riot when Meredith had arrived in D.C., he allegedly threatened to kill each Bowser and Pelosi, who had made tv statements condemning the Capitol assault. 

“Thinking about heading over to Pelosi [expletive] speech and putting a bullet in her noggin on Live TV,” Meredith allegedly wrote. He additionally threatened Bowser:  “I may wander over to the Mayor’s office and put a 5.56 in her skull.”

Meredith allegedly described desirous to kill utilizing armor-piercing bullets, which have been among the many 2,500 rounds of ammunition investigators present in his trailer when he was arrested that day by federal authorities. Baset mentioned Meredith additionally introduced two weapons together with a semi-automatic rifle, extended-clip magazines and a scope, “suggesting he wanted to identify specific targets or at least hone in on them.” 

Baset mentioned Meredith was an adherent of the QAnon conspiracy concept, and argued he is perhaps additional radicalized through social media if launched earlier than trial.  Meredith had additionally “head-butted” an individual in D.C. over a highway rage dispute and yelled a racial epithet at a witness, Baset mentioned, additional demonstrating his dangerousness.

Meredith’s lawyer, Assistant Federal Public Defender Ubong Akpan, mentioned he meant the disturbing textual content messages to be in jest, and is remorseful for making them. Akpan mentioned Meredith admitted to investigators that he crossed the road. 

“From the government’s own evidence, Mr. Meredith intended his comments to be a joke,” Akpan mentioned. “Whether they are received that way or not is a separate question.”

Akpan mentioned Meredith did not journey to D.C. to participate in an “insurrection” as the federal government recommended, however somewhat to attend a political rally as he had the yr prior. Apkan mentioned Meredith, a father who resides in North Carolina, introduced the weapons with him on a visit to Colorado, realizing as he drove from Colorado to the District that the weapons should not allowed there.

Akpan mentioned Meredith could be keen to stick to strict situations of pre-trial launch, together with GPS monitoring. But Harvey dismissed the suggestion as he addressed Meredith: “GPS monitoring is imperfect, and I don’t think we have room for error when it comes to you.”

“I do not believe I could fashion conditions that would assure the safety of the community, frankly any community at this time,” Harvey mentioned.

A pre-trial listening to is scheduled within the case for January 28.

Clare Hymes contributed reporting.