A Pennsylvania man charged with making threats against state lawmakers appeared before a judge Thursday.Adam Berryhill’s social media posts, dating back to early April, led to the arrest of the 42-year-old Lebanon County man on May 6 after police learned of the threats on April 28. State police alerted Capitol Police on May 1, but local lawmakers said they were not notified until this week, sparking concerns about communication.In a letter to state House and Senate leaders, Lt. Col. George Bivens, acting commissioner of the state police, acknowledged the communication breakdown and announced changes to protocols. “While the investigation and threat mitigation were handled properly by PSP, a review of this matter reveals a breakdown in the notification process that should have occurred to the affected legislators,” Bivens said.Pennsylvania State Police are creating a new political violence threat unit within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to address these issues. “Something has to be done. Whether you agree with them politically or not, you can’t let this happen, so I think it’s a really good idea to find people and set it up,” said Frank Monaco, a retired state police major.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelDetails about the unit were outlined in the letter, which stated, “Members of this unit will be experienced investigators, who will work hand in hand with the TIU (Tactical Intelligence Unit) to ensure complete continuity in the flow of information throughout the investigation and notifications process.” “It makes it simpler to go under one house, or for one person to review these things, and then direct the way the investigation evaluates each threat as they are,” Monaco said. As part of the new process, TIU investigators will pass all threat information to the sergeant at arms for both chambers of the legislature, Capitol Police, the executive services office, and the PSP’s police and legislative affairs office.Monaco said the creation of the unit is necessary in the current political climate.”Clearly the temperature has gone up, and social media lets people say things online,” Monaco said. “They can say things anonymously, and they’ve emboldened many people.”Monaco praised Bivens for his quick response but agreed that lawmakers should have been notified sooner. “It should have been done like any other person. If somebody is threatening me and the police heard about it, I would like to know as well,” Monaco said. Berryhill is being held on $250,000 bail. He waived his preliminary hearing Thursday. Arraignment is scheduled for June 11.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
A Pennsylvania man charged with making threats against state lawmakers appeared before a judge Thursday.
Adam Berryhill’s social media posts, dating back to early April, led to the arrest of the 42-year-old Lebanon County man on May 6 after police learned of the threats on April 28. State police alerted Capitol Police on May 1, but local lawmakers said they were not notified until this week, sparking concerns about communication.
In a letter to state House and Senate leaders, Lt. Col. George Bivens, acting commissioner of the state police, acknowledged the communication breakdown and announced changes to protocols.
“While the investigation and threat mitigation were handled properly by PSP, a review of this matter reveals a breakdown in the notification process that should have occurred to the affected legislators,” Bivens said.
Pennsylvania State Police are creating a new political violence threat unit within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to address these issues.
“Something has to be done. Whether you agree with them politically or not, you can’t let this happen, so I think it’s a really good idea to find people and set it up,” said Frank Monaco, a retired state police major.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
Details about the unit were outlined in the letter, which stated, “Members of this unit will be experienced investigators, who will work hand in hand with the TIU (Tactical Intelligence Unit) to ensure complete continuity in the flow of information throughout the investigation and notifications process.”
“It makes it simpler to go under one house, or for one person to review these things, and then direct the way the investigation evaluates each threat as they are,” Monaco said.
As part of the new process, TIU investigators will pass all threat information to the sergeant at arms for both chambers of the legislature, Capitol Police, the executive services office, and the PSP’s police and legislative affairs office.
Monaco said the creation of the unit is necessary in the current political climate.
“Clearly the temperature has gone up, and social media lets people say things online,” Monaco said. “They can say things anonymously, and they’ve emboldened many people.”
Monaco praised Bivens for his quick response but agreed that lawmakers should have been notified sooner.
“It should have been done like any other person. If somebody is threatening me and the police heard about it, I would like to know as well,” Monaco said.
Berryhill is being held on $250,000 bail. He waived his preliminary hearing Thursday. Arraignment is scheduled for June 11.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.