Man Arrested For Sending Death Threats To Rochester Officers
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A man is facing charges for making “credible threats” against two Rochester police officers.
And the threats of violence were also directed at the officers’ families.
The case was investigated by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and had its origins in a domestic assault incident in April involving 52-year-old Josef Makatewassi.
He was involved in another domestic-related incident a month later and the same officer was assigned to both. The officer soon began receiving emails from Makatewassi that were described as rambling.
Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jim Schueller says the series of emails continued and eventually became threatening. Schueller says another officer involved in the case also began receiving emails from Makatewassi.
Schueller says Makatewassi “did his research” and his emails included personal information about the officers and their families. Some included photographs. One threatened to use an officer’s daughter for sex trafficking.
Schueller says it was decided to apprehend Makatewassi after he sent emails on June 9th threatening to kill the officers and their families. Makatewassi was located in Edina Sunday and taken into custody.
He is expected to be arraigned on the new charges Friday.