Crime and Public Safety
A Botetourt County man faces federal charges for allegedly making a series of on-line threats against Congressman Bob Goodlatte. The U.S. Attorney’s office says 38-year-old Christopher McGowan used Twitter to make threats that included “I am not making a joke — I will kill him” and “I am buying [a gun] intended for you in three days.” McGowan is jailed pending a bond hearing next Wednesday.
From the US Attorney’s Office: Roanoke, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today the arrest of a Roanoke man accused of using social media to communicate threats against U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte. Congressman Goodlatte represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives and is the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The United States Attorney’s Office charged Christopher Michael McGowan, 38, in a criminal complaint with one count of making a threatening communication through interstate commerce. “Federal law criminalizes threatening communications made through the internet or a telephone, and these types of threats are not protected by the First Amendment,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated. “As this case indicates, our office will act swiftly to address threats of gun violence.”
According to the criminal complaint and affidavit, on or about December 17, 2017, McGowan allegedly tweeted to United States Congressman Bob Goodlatte a series of messages threatening the Congressman. “I will do this in full belief I am defending the constitution of the United States. I am not making a joke. I will kill him. Should you believe my doing so would be illegal please arrest me so we can have this discussion in court BEFORE I actually do it. Thank you.”
On December 18, 2017, officers with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office visited McGowan at his home and interviewed him. During the interview, McGowan admitted to sending the tweets the previous day, but stated he did not own firearms and did not intend on hurting Congressman Goodlatte or anyone else. In a subsequent series of tweets sent from McGowan to Congressman Goodlatte on April 1, 2018, however, McGowan stated the following:
“I’m serious, @BobGoodlatte6 …you keep f**king with our constitution and challenging Mueller and the last you see will be my patriot ass behind a gun you should have long ago have prevented me owning pulling a trigger to your head (SIC). Want me arrested>? GO head.”
“#1 threatened my congressman with violence #2 stated I would kill people. #3: pretty much declared I would commit a plethora of anti-social behavior, publicly. Whom would like to bet I can purchase a gun three days from now and NOT be locked up in jail? #proudtobeanAmerican”
“…Corruption happens on so many levels and in so many ways…but YOU have truly taken it to an extreme. History will hate you even more than I do. You better get on those gun laws. I am buying one intended for you in 3 days. Can you legally stop me?”
McGowan was arrested this morning and had his initial appearance in U.S. District Court this afternoon. He was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals pending a bond hearing next Wednesday. The investigation of the case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Roanoke City Police Department, the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Capitol Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jake Jacobsen will prosecute the case for the United States.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Roanoke Police say no charges will be placed against the man who took bike racks from a Kimball Avenue storage facility Saturday – racks intended for a bike-sharing program. The man — who did not give us his name — told us yesterday they were located in an unsecured location where items are often left for others to take at will, and once he learned the equipment’s intended purpose, he immediately took steps to return it.
From Roanoke City Police: The bike racks taken from the storage facility in the 800 block of Kimball Avenue on Saturday were returned Wednesday afternoon. The individual in the pictures returned the bike racks and is cooperating with the investigation. The individual told detectives he has an agreement with the storage facility owners to take the wooden palettes at the building. The individual said that the removal of the bike racks was a misunderstanding, as he thought they were being thrown out also given their location on the dock. The owner of the bike racks said that since the racks were returned, they do not wish to press charges. No charges will be placed.
Joe Cobb has been involved in social justice and activism in both faith-based communities and the non-profit world of the Roanoke Valley for nearly a decade. He’s also co-authored a book titled “Our Family Outing” with his former spouse Leigh Ann Taylor… a memoir about Joe coming out as a gay man after being married and having children. He’s now married to his husband James and is running for Roanoke City Council.
State Police say a Roanoke man coordinated a private on-line chat room that adults used to communicate with numerous minors, although the exact number is unknown. 35-year-old Jarrett Henshaw is charged with soliciting a minor on line. But police say it may go well beyond that, and they ask anyone who has information on Henshaw, the chat room, or any possible victims to contact them at novadcicac@vsp.virginia.gov
From State Police: A Roanoke man faces multiple charges after being arrested by a Virginia State Police special agent assigned to the Northern Virginia – Washington D.C. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Jarett D. Henshaw, 35, of Roanoke, Va., was arrested on March 27, 2018, on three felony counts of online solicitation of a minor in Rockingham County. Henshaw has been released on bond. The charges stem from an undercover, online operation during which Henshaw solicited the ICAC Task Force investigator. The ICAC Task Force special agent’s investigative, online profile was that of an underage female. Through the course of the investigation, Henshaw has been identified as the coordinator of a private, online chat room that has engaged with numerous unknown minors. As a result, the Virginia State Police is encouraging anyone with information concerning Henshaw, the chat room, and/or any victims to contact the ICAC Task Force by email at novadcicac@vsp.virginia.gov The NOVA-DC ICAC Task Force was established in November 2004 through a grant from the US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection. With Virginia State Police serving as the coordinating agency, the Task Force consists of 52 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth. For more information on the Task Force, click on www.novadcicac.org.
UPDATE From Roanoke County Fire and Rescue: Because of the extensive damage, the cause of the fire has been ruled “undetermined.” The trailer is a total loss and damage estimates are figured at $5,000. The Red Cross is assisting the adult male who lived in the home.
PREVIOUS News Release: Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at about 12:35 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 to the 10400 block of Bent Mountain Road at the top of Bent Mountain for the report of a structure fire in a single-wide mobile home. First arriving crews did find heavy smoke and flames. Crews from Bent Mountain, Back Creek, Cave Spring, and Floyd County responded to the fire. There were no injuries as the result of the fire. One adult male lives in the home and will be displaced and the Red Cross will be providing him assistance. The single occupant was at home at the time of the fire and was awakened by the smoke. He was then able to escape unharmed and went to some neighboring mobile homes to call for help. The fire was brought under control in about an hour. The mobile home is a total loss. The fire marshal’s office is on scene to investigate a cause. Roanoke County Fire and Rescue would like to remind everyone of the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home.
UPDATE: A driver who allegedly tried to flee a traffic stop in Vinton yesterday before crossing through a yard during the pursuit and striking a home in the 300-block of Elm Street has been identified. Officials say 41-year-old Randy Niday of Roanoke faces multiple felony charges including child endangerment. Policee say Niday had a 13-year-old family member in his vehicle during the pursuit and crash. Other charges include drug and firearms counts along with driving while his license is suspended.
PREVIOUS: Vinton Police say a driver who tried to flee a traffic stop this afternoon crossed through a yard during the pursuit and struck a home in the 300-block of Elm Street. Officials say the man driving the pickup tried to flee on foot, but he was caught. His name has not yet been released.
From Vinton Police: On April 3, 2018 at approximately 1545 hours an officer of the Vinton Police Department initiated a traffic stop in the 800 block of Morrison Ave. The vehicle, a white 1997 Dodge Ram pick up, truck fled from the officer West on Morrison Ave. The vehicle continued on Polk Ave., crossing N. Blair St., and crossing through a yard where the vehicle struck a home located in the 300 Block of Elm St. One adult male driver attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended. A second subject, a juvenile, also fled on foot but later returned to the scene. The juvenile was turned over to a guardian. There were no injuries related to this incident. This incident is still under investigation, and charges are still pending at the time of this release
From Transportation Security Administration: A 17-year-old Roanoke, Virginia, youth was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration with a handgun at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport checkpoint on Friday, March 30. The TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint x-ray monitor detected the .38 caliber revolver inside the youth’s carry-on bag. It was not loaded.
TSA officials notified the airport police, which responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the handgun and detained the young man for questioning.
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $13,000. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/civil-enforcement.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
(from Roanoke Police Department) On April 1, 2018 at 3:18 a.m. Roanoke Police responded to a residence in the 800 block of Staunton Avenue NW in reference to a shooting. When officers arrived they located two adult males inside a residence who had been shot. Roanoke Fire and EMS transported both victims to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Officers located cartridge cases inside the residence. This incident is still under investigation. No arrest have been made at this time.
Roanoke County school officials say this morning’s lockdown at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology was initiated when large stage flats that were being moved got caught in wind gusts and slammed to the ground. That made a loud, sharp sound that someone thought sounded like gunfire. Police were called, and lockdown procedures were put into place. The all-clear was sounded about an hour later.
From Roanoke County Schools: Earlier this morning, some students were moving some large wooden theater structures outside that got caught by a breeze and fell to the ground, creating some loud, sharp sounds that were similar to the sound of gunfire. Upon hearing the sounds, a student called 911 to report the sounds. Immediately, as a precaution, the school went on lockdown and the Salem and Roanoke County police responded. During their response, the Salem Police Department evacuated some students to the Salem Civic Center as a further precautionary measure. The lockdown lasted about a little over an hour and then students returned to class to resume the day. At no point were any students or staff in danger.
PREVIOUS: The Burton Center for Arts & Technology was placed on lockdown this morning due to a report of a sound “similar to gunfire”. A Roanoke County Schools spokesman says this is just a precaution. Salem and Roanoke County police have responded. Officials say all students and staff are safe, and parents are asked not to come to the Burton campus.
From Roanoke Police: Currently Roanoke Police are investigating a pedestrian being struck by at least two vehicles in the 400 block of Elm Avenue SE. The pedestrian who was struck appeared to have sustained serious injuries. He was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Roanoke Fire and EMS for treatment. No charges have been placed at this time. The investigation is on going.