Man Charged With Making Facebook Threat During Funeral For Detroit Cop
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Federal prosecutors have filed a criminal charge against a Detroit man for allegedly threatening police officers attending the funeral of Sergeant Ken Steil.
A six-page complaint filed in federal court Wednesday morning says Deshawn Maurice Lanton posted a threat on a Facebook live stream of the funeral that read: "Maybe I should drop a bomb on tha building to get rid of the rest of y'all."
The post, under the pseudonym "Kane Pnotes" was made as the web stream showed hundreds of police officers were gathered at St. Joan of Arc Church last Friday in St. Clair Shores.
A search of other posts allegedly by Lanton showed him posing with several guns and commenting on videos of police officers saying "how pleased he was" see them getting injured.
[View a copy of the complaint]
Lanton has been charged with using the internet to transmit a threat. He's also faced previous charges for assault and fleeing and eluding police.
He appeared in federal court Wednesday and was returned to jail. An attorney will be assigned. A hearing will be held Thursday to determine if he'll be granted bond.
Police Chief James Craig says he will "relentlessly" pursue anyone who threatens a Detroit officer.
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