Clinton threats spark arrest

From staff reports
NIAGARA GAZETTE (NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.)

TONAWANDA, N.Y. Fri, May 16 2008

— U.S. Secret Service agents from the Buffalo office paid a visit to a Penarrow Drive residence to investigate threats against former President Bill Clinton, City of Tonawanda police reported.

A 47-year-old man allegedly threatened to kill the nation’s 42nd president. City police accompanied Secret Service agents to the man’s house, where he became loud and agitated, continuing to make threats against Clinton and his family, police said.

According to police, he made the statement, “If I went near Bill Clinton, I would kill him. I don’t like Bill Clinton, (and) I don’t like his wife.”

Police reported the man believes he is the head of the U.S. Department of Justice and that he is justified in killing Clinton to seek revenge for his uncle, whom the man believes Clinton is responsible for killing.

The man was transported by Twin City Ambulance to Erie County Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation. Police said this is the second time the man has been investigated for making threats against the former president.

The Secret Service does not comment publicly on such incidents, a representative of the Buffalo office said.

Tonawanda Police Lt. Fredric Foels said the Buffalo office contacted city police late Wednesday night as a professional courtesy to inform police that their agents were coming to a house in Tonawanda.

“They check each and every (threat) out, present and former presidents,” Foels said.

The Secret Service investigates around 1,500 threats against presidents each year. It protects former presidents and their spouses for up to 10 years from the date the individual leaves office.