Man with ‘trove of weapons’ arrested following threats to kill Obama, Muslims, federal agents
Joseph Garguilo
A 40-year-old man from Holliston, Massachusetts, is being held without bail after he was arrested Saturday for weapons violations and communicating a desire to kill President Obama, Muslims and agents with the Department of Homeland Security.
The Justice Department announced the arrest of Joseph Garguilo in a press release Monday, following an ongoing investigation that started in July.
The investigation was launched after the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip on their website about Garguilo. The tipster told authorities Garguilo previously stated he would “plant bombs in police stations … and kill as many homeland security officers as he can before they kill him.” The tipster also said Garguilo expressed a desire to “chain a mosque closed and burn it down.” Additionally, Garguilo allegedly indicated he should have killed President Obama, when given the chance, while golfing at Martha’s Vineyard.
Following the execution of a warrant, Garguilo was found to be in possession of what was described as a “trove of weapons,” including the components to build AR-15 rifles, along with ammunition, mace guns, knives and incendiary material. Officials also said Garguilo was stockpiling food and water as part of a plan that included a possible standoff with authorities. Handwritten notes threatening violence were also recovered, according to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Maximilian Fox.
Garguilo not only lacked a firearms identification card, which is required for both purchase and ownership of firearms in the state of Massachusetts, but at the time of his arrest, Garguilo had an active restraining order against him, which automatically prohibited him from possessing either firearms or ammunition.
The affidavit shows the witness told the FBI in reference to Garguilo, “Honest to god, I think he’s gonna snap.”
But Garguilo’s attorney, Mark Meehan, said his client is “distressed” over the accusations and denies ever making threats to anybody. He waved a probable cause hearing Monday, but is due in court Wednesday for a detention hearing.
If convicted, Garguilo could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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Source: http://www.guns.com/2016/08/30/man-with-trove-of-weapons-arrested-following-threats-to-kill-obama-muslims-federal-agents/
