Posted on 08/31/2004 11:34:06 AM PDT by dead
Tampa, Florida - A police officer who mouthed off while picking up his uniform at the cleaners has been indicted on a charge of threatening President George W Bush for allegedly saying he would shoot him and his father if someone gave him the bullets.
Joseph Mazagwu, 35, surrendered on Friday on charges of threatening the president and lying to investigators. The rookie officer has been suspended from the force and could lose his job.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. He had no comment after his first court appearance and was released on $25 000 bail. The prosecutor said there was no evidence Mazagwu pursued the threat.
His lawyer, Deeann Athan, said the charge stemmed from "a huge misunderstanding".
On July 15, a day before Bush visited Tampa, Mazagwu was picking up his dry cleaning when the owner asked if he would be part of the president's security detail.
The 11-year US Army veteran and Nigerian native answered that he would not work it under any circumstances and criticised the war in Iraq and US policies in Africa.
Assistant US Attorney Robert O'Neill alleged that Mazagwu said words to the effect: "The president needs to be shot. His father needs to be shot. If someone gave me bullets, I would do that."
The cleaner reported the remarks to another Tampa officer on the day of Bush's visit, police spokesperson Laura McElroy said.
Edited by Tisha Steyn
OK, he is a police officer and says he would shoot GW and father 'if someone gave him the bullets'? Since when do police officers not have bullets?? Confused here.... :o
Josef would be different. His last name just sounds Nigerian though shorter than most. Nigerians are majority Christian. I suspect this one is from a Christian background but apparently an apostate.
"The 11-year US Army veteran and Nigerian native answered that he would not work it under any circumstances and criticised the war in Iraq and US policies in Africa."
I am in agreement to the outrage of the policies in Africa. I say we quit sending them all that cash that belongs to us. If the population on that continent can not figure out that it is possible to not catch aids, then my cash isn't worthy to be sent to them to waste.
Interesting. Any word on whether Mr. Mazagwu is a Christian Nigerian, or are we to presume he is of the Muslim segment of that population?
Fine. I disagree.
Ok doky.
Given his Nigerian roots, and the presence in that nation of Muslims bent on imposing Sharia law, it is a perfectly fair question to ask whether this fellow is Muslim or not.
As for the name "Joseph" -- it's possible that he selected it as his "American name." I've known a lot of folks from different countries (mainly Asian) who've done that.
Given the preponderance of Muslims among our terrorist foes, this guy's religious affiliation (if any) would appear to be relevant to the story.
Remember, Tannerone............Kerry is a vet.
We know what kind of a strange ranger he is.
Another immigrant who needs to be deported after his stint in jail. I favor branding on the forehead so they cannot sneak back in.
No, just terrorists, traitors, and leftists.
DEPORT, DEPORT, DEPORT!!
I do not contend that it is not relevent. Only gave my opinion as to his religion based on the name. Most times these aholes keep there Muslim name here but he could be the exception.
Didn't he even follow the Martha Stewart case?
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