Indiana man charged with sending threat to US Naval Academy
A former U.S. Naval Academy midshipman,Jackson Fleming,23,from Chesterton,Indiana,has been charged with sending a false threat online that caused a lockdown at the Naval Academy in Annapolis,Maryland. The threat, which claimed there was an active shooter on campus, led to nearly seven hours of lockdown and confusion last week. During the incident, a midshipman mistook a security guard for the gunman and attacked him, resulting in the officer shooting the student in the shoulder. Both survived and were released from the hospital. Fleming attended the Academy from June 2021 to January 2024 and was arrested in Indiana shortly after posting the threat. He faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted but plans to contest the charges. The FBI, along with local law enforcement and Naval security, conducted the investigation. The incident coincided with other threats in Maryland and campus lockdowns, occurring amid heightened tension following the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Former midshipman charged with sending threat that locked down US Naval Academy
A former U.S. Naval Academy midshipman was charged after allegedly sending an online threat that caused mass confusion and led to an hourslong lockdown at the military school last week.
Jackson Fleming, a 23-year-old resident of Chesterton, Indiana, is accused of transmitting a threat in interstate communication, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced on Tuesday. A federal judge approved a complaint containing a single count, which the Maryland prosecutors noted isn’t formal yet. If charged, Fleming faces up to five years in federal prison.
The academy said Fleming attended the school from June 30, 2021, to Jan. 5, 2024.
The suspect was arrested in Indiana on Friday, one day after he posted the fake threat on social media concerning the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He later appeared in court on Monday.
The military academy shut down for nearly seven hours on Thursday when Fleming’s threat falsely claimed there was an active shooter on campus, prompting a midshipman to mistake a security guard for a gunman. The student then attacked the officer, who shot his assailant in the shoulder. Both men survived and were eventually discharged from the hospital.
The academy and Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) concluded there was no active shooter threat last week.
The FBI led the investigation to Fleming’s arrest with the assistance of the Porter County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Naval Academy.
Fleming’s lawyer said his client will fight the charges in court.
MOORE SAYS NO THREAT AT NAVAL ACADEMY AFTER STUDENT MISTAKES OFFICER FOR GUNMAN
“No one, including Jack, should be judged by a mere accusation from the government,” criminal defense attorney Jonathan Bedi told the Associated Press. “We are prepared to mount the strongest possible defense, and I am confident that when the complete facts emerge, Jack will be vindicated.”
The hoax threat sent to the Naval Academy arrived the same day that Maryland state lawmakers received bomb threats at their homes, and multiple historically black colleges and universities reported receiving possible threats that led to campus lockdowns. All these incidents occurred on Sept. 11 and came amid heightened anxiety following conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah the day before.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
