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Ohio fugitive arrested for writing 'Alexandria Cortez should be shot' in Facebook post

Timothy Ireland Jr, 41, told the police that he was proud of the post. The police said he also had two warrants pending against him.

BY SMRITI BOSCO

PUBLISHED AUG 10, 2019

An Ohio fugitive has been busted for writing that representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 'Should be shot' and for having illegal custody of ammunition, the NY Post reported officials as saying on August 9.

The fugitive, Timothy Ireland Jr, 41, who is from Toledo, has been charged in the Northern District Court of Ohio on "one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm", "one count of being a fugitive in possession of a firearm", and "one count of making interstate threat."

Investigators said they called Ireland on August 2. The Daily Mail said he admitted to the authorities of making the statements and that he was 'very proud' of the post he made.

On July 23, it was announced by the United States Capitol Police that they were given hints that Ireland was making threatening statements on Facebook about AOC, the Bronx-Queens Democrat. “She should be shot. Can’t fire me, my employer would load the gun for me,” read a post on Tim Irelands Facebook wall with links to a story on Ocasio-Cortez, reported NY Post.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) prepares to speak at the National Action Network's annual convention on April 5, 2019 in New York City. Founded by Rev. Al Sharpton in 1991, the National Action Network is one of the most influential African American organizations dedicated to civil rights in America.

NY Post also reported that Ireland already had two outstanding warrants against him. One for "felony failure" to appear in Sarasota County, Florida for violating probation. The other warrant against him was for his "misdemeanor failure" to appear in a case of marijuana possession in Cook County, Georgia.

When Ireland was questioned about his ownership of firearms, he said he always had guns with him and he also used his guns for "hunting and sports." He also claimed that everyone who knew him had guns. Ireland was taken into custody on the warrant outstanding in Florida, reports said.

Agents of the USCP and the Tobacco, Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives Bureau did a search of Ireland's home and seized three rounds of find .32-caliber ammunition and four rounds of .45 ammunition.

“There is absolutely no place in the marketplace of ideas for threats of violence against any person, especially those who are elected to represent the American people,” US Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Disagreement on political issues cannot lead to acts of violence, and if it does, we will seek federal prison time."