Montco man remains in federal custody
A Worcester man accused of firing gunshots at the Montco Democratic headquarters remains behind bars.
PHILADELPHIA >> A Worcester man accused of emailing threats to and firing gunshots at the Montgomery County Democratic Committee headquarters in Norristown remained in federal custody on Friday after his initial appearance in federal court.
During a brief hearing in U.S. District Court, Anthony F. Nero, 48, of the of the 2600 block of Bean Road, was formally advised of the charges lodged against him in connection with alleged incidents that occurred between Jan. 8 and Jan. 20 at the Democratic headquarters along East Airy Street.
Those federal charges include threatening communications and cyberstalking. The hearing lasted about five minutes.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth T. Hey ordered Nero to be detained pending a formal detention hearing now scheduled for Tuesday at which it will be determined if Nero is released pending trial on the charges.
During Friday’s hearing, defense lawyer Timothy Woodward entered his appearance to represent Nero.
Nero originally had been charged by Norristown detectives with terroristic threats, terrorism, firearms not to be carried without a license and recklessly endangering other persons in connection with the alleged incident. However, Nero was taken into custody by federal agents on March 3 when he showed up at a Norristown courtroom for what was supposed to be his preliminary hearing on the original county charges.
Montgomery County prosecutors withdrew the county charges after federal authorities took possession of the case.
The 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 under way, 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 1999 Lexus RX 300 vehicle.
Detectives found a tactical bag in the cargo area and inside located a .45-caliber Springfield Armory 1911A1 firearm in a brown leather holster, according to court documents. The weapon was found in the “cocked” position, loaded with one round in the chamber and five additional rounds in the magazine, detectives alleged.