GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — On Tuesday, 60-year-old Daniel Callahan from Fruitport was found guilty on charges of False Report or Threat of Terrorism and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime. Each offense is a felony and carries a minimum sentence of 20 years.
It all began in February of 2023 when Callahan was in court in Grand Rapids for a separate issue. While in court on Feb. 15, 2023, he expressed frustration with the government, saying, "What is it going to take, somebody to get shot before the State acts on it?"
Later that month, Callahan filed a pleading in the same case, stating that if the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court did not act “lawfully,” and grant his requested relief, they and other entities would earn a “future Performance Award for MSU Stage Act 2, West Michigan 2023.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office released a statement on the incident in which they explained that court employees understood his pleading to be a threat to commit a mass shooting similar to the one that had occurred at Michigan State University just ten days prior.
Callahan also filed further pleadings, expressing grievances toward the Department of Attorney General and Nessel herself. He referenced her by name multiple times and called for her to be removed from office and prosecuted.
“Threats against public officials must be taken seriously, first and foremost, to protect their lives but also to protect the essential functions of our public safety and justice systems,” said Nessel. “My office will hold accountable those who try to intimidate public servants with violence. I am thankful the jury saw the serious, dangerous and criminal nature of Callahan’s threats against the courts.”
Callahan was charged for the threats in April of 2023, he eventually turned himself in and was subsequently arrested. A date has not yet been set for his sentencing.
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