A California man who was upset by Merriam-Webster’s inclusive gender definitions threatened to bomb the publisher’s offices and sent “threatening and despicable” messages targeting the LGBT community.
Via USA Today:
Jeremy David Hanson, 34, was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of interstate communication of threats to commit violence i in October, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced Friday. Prosecutors say Hanson used the “Contact Us” page on Merriam-Webster’s website to send threatening messages and comments “demonstrating bias against specific gender identities.” Under the handle @anonYmous, he also made threats in the comment sections of webpages for the word entries “Girl” and “Woman.”
Hanson was released on conditions after an initial federal court appearance, prosecutors said. He is set to return to court on April 29. His charge carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.