Kansas man accused of threatening Daniel Cameron over Taylor case
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The day Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced the findings from his office’s investigation of the deadly police shooting of Breonna Taylor, a man from Kansas called the AG’s office with a threat, according to federal prosecutors.
On Thursday, 29-year old Wesley Clay, of Olathe, Kansas, was indicted in Kentucky on federal charges of sending threatening communications in interstate commerce.
Prosecutors say Clay called the Kentucky Attorney General’s Breonna Taylor investigation phone line, gave his name, phone number and said, among other things, “You will die if you do not give Breonna Taylor justice. That is a threat. Try me.”
“Sending threatening communications in interstate commerce, over the telephone or via the internet, is grave conduct and can lead to potential federal prosecution,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Law enforcement simply must treat these matters very seriously.”
“Threatening harm to our elected officials is a far cry from protected-speech and subjects people to vigorous investigation and potential federal prosecution,” said Russell Coleman, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. “As we are constantly reminded there are no longer geographic lines between law enforcement agencies and districts as we work collaborate to mitigate the threat to Kentuckians.”
“Sending threatening communications not only takes an emotional toll on the victim, but it also unnecessarily drains law enforcement resources. Threats are not jokes. You will be charged and arrested with a federal crime,” said James Robert Brown, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office.” FBI Louisville will continue to work closely with our partners across the country to ensure elected officials can perform the duties of their office safely.”
The investigation preceding the charge was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisville Field Office, with assistance from the Kansas City Field Office.
Clay’s next scheduled appearance is on October 8, 2020 at 11 a.m. in Lexington.
If convicted, Clay faces up to 5 years in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
Leave a Reply