Federal prosecutors released new details this week in a Dansville case we first reported on earlier this month involving online threats and a tense arrest.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York announced that a Dansville woman now faces a federal charge tied to threats against law enforcement and an encounter with officers at her home.
Prosecutors said Jennifer E. Curran, 40, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal law enforcement officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon. The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court documents, investigators began reviewing the case after threats appeared online on Dec. 4. Prosecutors said the posts included threats to kill the President, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and to carry out a mass shooting. The posts appeared on the social media platform GETTR under the username “@Word_Smith.”
Investigators later traced the account to Curran, prosecutors said.
The following day, members of the FBI and New York State Police went to Curran’s residence. Prosecutors said investigators made contact with her while she was holding a hammer.
Curran admitted posting the threats, according to the complaint. She told investigators she was “very upset” and said there were social workers and police officers she wanted to “hurt.” Prosecutors said she waved the hammer in a threatening manner and refused repeated commands to drop it.
Court records state Curran told investigators that if she had to kill someone on her property to make her point, she would. She was then taken into custody.
“The safety and protection of law enforcement, at every level, is paramount,” U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said in a statement, adding that threats of violence against officers will be met with accountability.
The FBI credited coordination between agencies for the arrest. The case was investigated by the New York State Police and the FBI.
As with all criminal complaints, the charge is an accusation. Curran is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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