A New York City man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges he posted threats online urging the “extermination” of Democrats and killing of people celebrating Joe Biden’s win over incumbent Donald Trump in the US presidential election.
Brian Maiorana, who prosecutors said is also a registered sex offender, entered his plea through his lawyer at a hearing before US Magistrate Judge Vera Scanlon in Brooklyn.
Maiorana, who is in his mid-50s, has been detained since his November 10 arrest at his Staten Island home, where authorities said they found a semi-automatic firearm and ammunition. The defendant was indicted on November 18, and also faces weapons charges.
Prosecutors said Maiorana began using social media in September to post threats targeting protesters, politicians and law enforcement.
They said these included posts calling for the “extermination of anyone that claims to be democrat,” and lamenting that the election had been “fraudulently stolen from us.”
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