Ex-guardsman gets probation for threatening to crash plane
A former Ohio Army National Guardsman has been placed on three years of probation for threatening to crash a stolen plane into the Anheuserbusch beer plant on Columbus’ North Side, allegedly with another Guardsman who’s also accused of threatening to shoot up a Columbus Jewish school.
James Ricky Meade II, 26, of Chesterhill, Morgan County, pleaded guilty in December to one count of inciting to violence, a third-degree felony, for posting the threats in an online chat filled with other Guardsmen.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Andy Miller sentenced Meade Tuesday morning to probation with a suspended sentence of three years in prison that could be imposed if he violates his probation.
This sentence was jointly recommended by Franklin County prosecutors and Meade’s defense attorney.
Miller also prohibited Meade from using social media while on probation and mandated him to complete 200 hours of community service.
Miller could have given Meade up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Meade was arrested in April within a week of his codefendant and fellow Ohio National Guardsman Thomas Develin, 25, of Columbus’ Far North Side.
Develin is charged in Franklin County Common Pleas Court with making terroristic threats, including against a Columbus Jewish school where he was employed as a security guard, according to court documents in a tangential federal case.
Develin teased he would commit a shooting at the school in the same online group chat with other Guardsmen, according to court records.
Develin pleaded guilty in October in federal court to charges related to manufacturing and selling 3D-printed parts that can turn semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons.
His sentencing in federal court is scheduled for Feb. 28. He could receive up to 25 years in prison for his federal crimes.
Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Cory Helffrich said at Meade’s sentencing hearing Tuesday that Meade posted “deeply disturbing” messages on the chat and the two then-guardsmen discussed targeting the Anheuserbusch plant because its towers resemble the Twin Towers.
Defense attorney Bryan Bowen said Meade made some dumb comments, but he doesn’t believe Meade intended to follow through on any of the threats.
“Mr. Meade engaged in some conduct which if nothing else, was criminally stupid ... Mr. Meade was essentially a follower and picked a very bad person to follow,” Bowen said. “Nevertheless, he made some pretty dumb comments and some pretty insensitive comments and honestly, some pretty offensive comments.”
Meade declined to speak at his sentencing hearing.
Helffrich said this case originated after a member of the online chat committed suicide and the messages made in that group were investigated by the
Division of Columbus Police.
The department’s counterterrorism unit took the messages very seriously, Helffrich said.
“(Meade) along with (Develin) threatened to travel to the airport here, John Glenn International Airport, and commit several acts of terrorism once there. Ultimately, they decided to threaten to fly a plane into two towers here in town which resemble the Twin Towers in New York,” Helffrich said. “Upon learning of these threats, Anheuser-busch took protocols to enhance their security.”
Capt. Jenna Walton, a spokesperson with the Ohio National Guard, said late Tuesday afternoon that Meade was discharged in August.
On March 15, Develin posted in the group chat that “if the military actually decides to ever crack down on extremists, they’re going to have to kick at least half of us out,” according to federal court records. jlaird@dispatch.com @Lairdwrites