Man Faces Terrorism Charge After Prosecutors Say He Threatened To Kill Macomb County Judge
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) - A Macomb County man is facing a terrorism charge after allegedly threatening to kill a judge and blow up her car if he didn't get his way in a custody case.
County Prosecutor Eric Smith says the target of 55-year old Keith Rebar of Washington Township was Circuit Court Judge Katherine Viviano who was overseeing the case.
"This threat is very specific as to who it is — and not just that I'm gonna kill them or I'm gonna hurt them," said Smith, "but specific ways that they're gonna go about doing it with a pressure cooker bomb and/or a shooting."
"When it comes to this level, this specificity about pressure cooker bombs and shooting and as a direct result of specific rulings...Well, given the way of the world and how dangerous it can be at times, law enforcement wanted to act quickly," Smith said.
Smith said authorities were tipped off by someone who knows Rebar and wanted remain anonymous out of fear.
Rebar faces one felony count of false report or threat of terrorism.
He could serve up to 20 years in prison if convicted.