Clarence Man Charged with Threatening Military Officers and Installations

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Kevin P. Smith, 50, of Clarence, New York, has been arrested and charged in a complaint with threatening federal officials and threatening to kill persons and bomb property. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Moscati, who is handling the case, stated that between March and July of 2010, the complaint charges Smith with threatening to blow up Fort Hood and kill the Commanding General of III Corps and members of his staff. Smith is also alleged to have called the Quantico, Virginia Marine Corps base on two occasions and threatened to kill a Marine captain. Smith is also accused of making threats to the Buffalo Veteran's Administration Hospital Outreach Program.

The arrest is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in-Charge James H. Robertson; the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John C. Askey; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Matthew S. Renneman; and the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Edward T. Bradley.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.