Feds take over shooting case at Dem offices
A Worcester man accused of emailing threats to and firing gunshots at the Montgomery County Democratic Committee headquarters in Norristown will be prosecuted on charges in federal court.
Anthony F. Nero, 48, of the 2600 block of Bean Road, was taken into custody by federal agents on Wednesday when he showed up for what was supposed to be his preliminary hearing on terrorism-related charges filed against him last month by county authorities, according to his lawyer, Timothy Woodward.
“I think the reason that federal authorities took the case was the current political climate in the country.”
- Defense lawyer Timothy Woodward
“Ten minutes before the scheduled preliminary hearing I arrived and saw approximately six FBI agents whisking him (Nero) away and I was told they were filing federal terrorism charges,” said Woodward, recalling the events that unfolded about 9:20 a.m. outside the office of District Court Judge Margaret Hunsicker in Norristown.
“My reaction was one of surprise and disappointment that the case wasn’t going to be prosecuted locally,” Woodward added.
As of early Wednesday, Woodward had not yet seen a federal indictment listing the specific charges being filed against Nero.
“He’s being charged federally. I don’t know the specific crimes, but terrorism-related crimes,” Woodward said.
Woodward said Nero, who previously was on bail facing the county charges, is currently being held at the federal detention center in Philadelphia, awaiting a Friday detention hearing in U.S. District Court.
After federal authorities took Nero into custody, county Assistant District Attorney Kathleen McLaughlin and Woodward appeared before Hunsicker, and McLaughlin officially withdrew the county charges that had been lodged against Nero.
Those county charges had included terroristic threats, terrorism, firearms not to be carried without a license and recklessly endangering other persons and were filed in connection with alleged incidents that occurred between Jan. 8 and Jan. 20 at the Democratic headquarters along East Airy Street.
Such charges likely carry more severe penalties upon conviction in a federal court.
“I think the reason that federal authorities took the case was the current political climate in the country,” Woodward said.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia declined to comment about the matter on Wednesday. Federal court documents were unavailable.
The original, local investigation of Nero began on Jan. 8, when Norristown police received information that a threatening email, submitted under the name “Silent Majority,” was received the day before at the Democratic Committee headquarters located at 21 E. Airy St., according to the original criminal complaint filed by Norristown detectives.
The email read: “Just wanted to let your offices know that you should probably beef up security. With this stolen election and coup d’etat, violence is the only language you bloodsuckers understand. (Expletive) you and your BLM (expletive) along with ANTIFA. We WILL end this insurrection. Again, TRUMP YOU!! You (expletive) traitors. Random acts of violence are difficult to investigate. Have fun.”
Officials at the Democratic offices told police they didn’t know who submitted the email and “expressed concerns for the safety of the building and employees” in light of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to the criminal complaint.
As the investigation into the source of the email was underway, at 4:38 p.m. Jan. 20, Norristown police responded to the Democratic headquarters after a party official reported arriving there and discovering bullet holes in the front window, according to court documents. Police observed “three bullet holes in the front window of the office” and were able to retrieve two projectiles from a desk that was located inside near the window, according to the previously filed arrest affidavit.
Investigators subsequently determined the projectiles were fired from a .45-caliber handgun.
No one was injured during the shooting and the office reportedly was unoccupied at the time of the gunfire.
With help from the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and county detectives, investigators traced the internet address related to the Jan. 7 email to Nero’s residence and cell phone. A firearms check also revealed that Nero was the owner of a .45-caliber handgun, court papers indicate.
On Feb. 17, detectives, armed with a search warrant, made contact with Nero in the area of the 200 block of West DeKalb Pike. At that time, Nero allegedly told detectives the firearm was located in the cargo area of his Lexus vehicle.
Detectives found a tactical bag in the cargo area and inside located a .45-caliber Springfield Armory 1911-A1 firearm in a brown leather holster, according to the arrest affidavit. The weapon was found in the “cocked” position, loaded with one round in the chamber and five additional rounds in the magazine, detectives alleged.
During an interview by investigators, Nero admitted to emailing the threatening comment to the Democratic Committee and also admitted to firing his gun into the committee headquarters three times as he drove by the office during the late evening hours, according to the criminal complaint.
Nero stated that he fired the rounds into the building “because I am going through a stressful time in my life losing my family this whole COVID thing shutting down the country the abundant evidence available relating to the theft of the election,” according to the arrest affidavit.