EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A Rhode Island man accused of sending threatening messages to East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva is facing two charges following his arrest in Florida last month, according to court documents.
Thomas Wazlavek, 41, is charged with threatening a public official and cyberstalking and cyberharassment. The charges stem from messages allegedly sent to DaSilva’s mayoral Facebook page beginning Aug. 8.
Police said the messages included threats to kill DaSilva, harm his family and set fire to his home. One message allegedly threatened to put the mayor “feet first into the woodchipper.”
East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva. (WJAR)
The account used the name “Aaron Waz,” according to police. DaSilva reportedly recognized the account as belonging to Wazlavek based on their previous interactions involving the Teamsters union and local politics.
Rhode Island man accused of threatening East Providence mayor arrested in Florida
Police said the profile featured an image of a masked man alongside a message addressed to the mayor. Investigators also obtained images sent from the account, including a Teamsters Local 251 membership card bearing Wazlavek’s name.
As part of their investigation, authorities sought subscriber information and IP address records from Facebook to identify the person behind the account.
Law enforcement and security expert Todd McGhee said digital records can help investigators connect an online account to the device used to operate it.
“I like to think of the IP address almost as good as a fingerprint,” McGhee said. “The IP address is going to be able to connect the dots where things may be vague or fraudulent on the front end.”
Wazlavek was arrested in Florida on Aug. 17, according to police. At his initial court appearance, he refused to waive extradition to Rhode Island, prompting authorities to request a governor’s warrant.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 16.