Layton Love, 46, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with interstate communication of a threat, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced on June 1. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
According to the complaint, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation after threatening text messages were sent on May 18 to the cellular telephone number of a detective with the Sheriff’s Office. The message stated: “You and your family are going to die soon! I will personally do the job if necessary. Death to the weaponized government means death to the weaponized government literally, (Victim) you are living on borrowed time. The home you own on (REDACTED)… is a legitimate target and will be hit at a time and place of my choosing. Prepare to die, (Victim), and everyone you hold dear. Your terrorist regime will burn.”
An investigation identified Love as the user of the telephone number from which these messages originated. On May 21, a New York State arrest warrant was issued charging Love with Making a Terroristic Threat and Aggravated Harassment. He was located by Pennsylvania State Police at his parents’ residence in Eldred, Pennsylvania.
Love made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr., where he was held pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 8.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola following an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford and by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Eric Butler.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York prosecutes federal criminal violations, handles civil litigation for the United States, collects federal debts, employs about 120 staff members including prosecutors and support staff, covers 17 counties in western New York with offices in Buffalo and Rochester, engages community groups for public safety initiatives, and operates under the Department of Justice according to its official website.
Authorities remind that charges are accusations only; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.