BOARDMAN, Ohio — A Boardman man has been indicted for making threats against federal law enforcement officers.
Justin Olsen, 18, threatened to shoot every federal law agent in sight on June 2, according to the indictment. Olsen allegedly made the comment on the website "iFunny" under the username "ArmyofChrist" while discussing the 1993 siege in Waco, Texas with another user, according to court documents. The FBI traced the username to Olsen's email, which was then traced to his IP address in Boardman, Ohio.
“Every law enforcement officer takes an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Anyone who threatens those same law enforcement agents is committing a crime, not engaging in some form of protected speech. When those threats are made, especially where someone possesses the means to act on those threats, we take it seriously and will seek criminal charges.”
Olsen was indicted on one count of making threats against federal law enforcement and one count of making interstate threats.
"Protecting citizen's freedom of speech is a main priority for the FBI, but when you call for the killing of federal officers you have crossed the line,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to assess and disrupt threats of physical harm to any citizen. Law enforcement encourages the public to report suspicious online or in person behavior -- see something, say something."
Olsen was arrested in his father's home, which was filled with guns and a huge stockpile of ammunition earlier this month.
Court documents state Olsen told the FBI during his arrest that the comments were only a joke. He admitted to making the comments on the internet regarding shooting federal agents on sight, and stated, “that’s a hyperbolic conclusion based on the results of the Waco siege…where the ATF slaughtered families.”
According to the complaint, agents seized 15 rifles, 10 semi-automatic pistols and roughly 10,000 rounds of ammunition from the home where Olsen lives with his father during the arrest. They also found a large machete in the trunk of Olsen’s car.
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