Man Charged With Terrorism For Facebook Threat Against Dearborn Church
DEARBORN (WWJ) - A former parishioner is facing terrorism charges after he allegedly posted a Facebook threat against his family's church.
Lt. Patricia Penman said Kevin Bright wrote on the social media website that he was going to take a pistol to Dearborn's Mt. Moriah Church and "testify."
Penman said police interviewed several people.
"I can't get into the specifics of the threat itself, but with the other information that we gathered from our investigation and some followup interviews, we thought it was a credible threat," she told WWJ Newsradio 950.
"The church took the threat seriously, the police department took the threat seriously — so much so that Sunday money and afternoon services were canceled," Penman said.
There was discussion, she said, about canceling Tuesday's service as well, but Bright was taken into custody before that.
"Our surveillance unit set up surveillance on his home and arrested him without incident," Penman said. "A weapon ... a pistol was not recovered, but there were some things recovered from the home."
Bright was arraigned Tuesday in 19th District Court before Judge Salamey on charges of making a false report or threat of terrorism and using a computer to commit a crime.
Bond was set at $50,000/10 percent, with GPS tether; and a preliminary exam in the case was set for next Friday.
"Let it be clear," Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said in a statement, "the Dearborn Police Department is totally committed to the security of our interfaith community."
Police won't say whether or not Bright has a criminal history. He is facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.