PROVIDENCE, R.I. A former Warwick firefighter made an initial appearance in federal court in Providence on Wednesday, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with threats to injure the person of another transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
It is alleged in court documents that Barry J. LaFleur, 57, of Cranston, a retired Warwick Fire Department Lieutenant with 23 years of service, made threats of violence (e.g. to kill, shoot,commit work-place slaughters; terror incidents, and mass killings), directed mainly towards public officials in the City of Warwick, in tens-of-thousands of messages he authored and transmitted primarily via emails and online postings. Charging documents allege that LaFleur transmitted the threats both while employed and after his retirement from the Warwick Fire Department.
LaFleur, arrestedwithout incident, appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and was released on unsecured bond to home detention with electronic GPS monitoring.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
The matter was investigated by the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) at the FBI Providence Resident Agency, with the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police and the Warwick and Cranston Police Departments.
The U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBIs JTTF thank the United States Secret Service and Cranston Police Department for their assistance in the arrest of Lafleur.
Source: U.S. Secret Service