A Toledo man accused of making online threats against U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) was sentenced in federal court to time served.
Timothy J. Ireland, Jr., pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, according to U.S. District Court records. He has been in custody since August and on Monday was sentenced to time served. He will be on supervised release for three years, records show.
The United States Capitol Police received information on July 23 that threatening statements were posted on Facebook, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. The statements were perceived to be threats against Ms. Ocasio-Cortez.
A screen shot was provided to Capitol Police of a news story related to the congressman with linked comments that stated: “She should be shot. Can’t fire me, my employer would load the gun for me.”
The statement was made from a Facebook page whose listed user was Tim Ireland of Toledo, according to the complaint. U.S. Capitol Police officers stated in the complaint that Ireland admitted in a call with them on Aug. 2 to making the statement and that “he was very proud of that post he made.” He also said he has firearms and always carries them concealed, according to the complaint.
USCP and ATF agents searched Ireland’s residence at 234 Kosciusko St. on Aug. 8. He was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant in Florida. A search revealed three rounds of .32-caliber ammunition and four rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.
First Published March 4, 2020, 9:07 p.m.
