Self-Described Proud Boy Kyle Boell Arrested For Sending Dozens Of Threatening Messages To Woman: Philly DA's Office
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- An alleged Proud Boy member has been arrested and charged for harassing and threatening a woman. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office says Kyle Boell, 40, of Philadelphia, sent dozens of harassing messages and threats to Gwen Snyder last November.
Snyder has been very vocal about her opposition to the right-wing extremist group, so she wasn't surprised by a flurry of harassing and threatening social media posts targeting her after the 2020 presidential election.
"I've gotten so much harassment from the Proud Boys over the years. I've been at a point where I sort of felt hopeless about police taking any action, or legal authorities taking any action," Snyder said.
The Philadelphia DA's Office, though, did take action, and on Thursday morning, they arrested Boell for terrorists threats and harassment against Snyder.
"It looks like it began after a group of self-proclaimed Proud Boys marched down South Street in Philadelphia, and then afterwards, this particular individual, Kyle Boell, directed his anger towards the victim in the case," said Assistant District Attorney Andrew Wellbrock.
Investigators say Boell hid behind an alias he was using on social media, hurling vulgar and threatening messages at the victim.
"Calling the victim a child predator, calling her a pedophile, making comments about her appearance, and really just committing acts of hate behind the mask of a computer screen," Wellbrock said.
Snyder's very public stance against extremist groups has forced her to take her safety very seriously.
"We're very careful, we have cameras in our home. I'm very careful about going out alone, especially at night. We've been living for two years now really worried about my safety when I'm leaving the house," Snyder said.
Boell could spend anywhere from three-and-a-half to seven years in prison, if convicted. The DA's office has a strong message for those who engage in this type of alleged behavior.
"Hate won't be tolerated in this city. Threats won't be tolerated in this city, when it's done under the guise of extremism, regardless of what end of the political spectrum," Wellbrock said. "Basically, you can't hide behind Twitter if you're gonna be a Nazi in Philadelphia."
"I'm really hopeful that people are finally taking this kind of organized white supremacy here in Philly seriously. It's been here for awhile, it's not new," Snyder said. "I really hope that this is the first step toward accountability."