ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 44-year-old Clovis man faces federal charges for allegedly using social media to threaten the Lubbock Pride Fest.
Michael Thompson is accused of posting threatening comments on Facebook in response to a post about the festival. On a post by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Thompson allegedly commented with statements referring to the event as “hunting season” and “target practice,” adding he didn’t need help – “just more ammo!”
After receiving a tip, FBI identified the Facebook account and traced the activity to Thompson in Clovis. Local law enforcement contacted Thompson, who allegedly admitted to making the comments and later deleting them.
The FBI arrested Thompson at his Clovis home Sunday. He faces a charge of interstate threatening communications. He will remain in custody but has a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
If convicted, Thompson faces up to five years in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement Tuesday. The Roswell Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with help from the Clovis Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.