SARATOGA SPRINGS — U.S Secret Service agents and local authorities collaborated to arrest a 33-year-old Saratoga Springs man on charges that he made threats against President Obama and Saratoga County elementary school children, the district attorney said. Brent
G. Dickinson of Maple Avenue was charged with two counts of making a terroristic threat after he allegedly sent two communications to a White House message board at around 11 p.m. Friday,

District Attorney James Murphy said in a statement. Dickinson named two intended targets: the
President and elementary school children at an unnamed school, Murphy
said. The Secret Service intercepted the messages, he said."In
both instances, it is alleged that the defendant intended to murder the
intended targets," Murphy wrote on his office's website.

He could not be reached for further comment.Due to the intimidating nature of the communications, the Secret Service contacted Saratoga Springs police and identified Dickinson as a suspect, Murphy said.

City police arrested Dickinson Friday without incident. He was arraigned in City
Court and taken to county jail on $50,000 bail, prosecutors said. That
bail amount was recommended because Dickinson has failed to appear for
numerous court dates, causing judges to issue 11 warrants for him and
law enforcement officers to search for him, Murphy said.

He faces up to seven years in prison, Murphy said.Dickinson intended to
"intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a
unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of
a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping," according
to Murphy.

"While the threat was not specific as to which elementary school, I believe we can never be too careful, especially in
light of the recent case of the horrific school shooting in Ohio," Murphy said.


Saratoga Springs Lt. John Catone said, "Once we were made aware of the nature of the threats, we were in constant contact with the schools and school administrators to make sure they were aware of the threat and they could take whatever security precautions that were needed.''

"A grand jury will hear the case soon, Murphy said. Dickinson is due back in City Court Tuesday.


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