COLUMBUS, Ohio– A guy who utilized Facebook to threaten a shooting at Ohio State and promised to harm players on the football group and then-coach Urban Meyer pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a hazard in interstate interactions, authorities said.
An indictment unsealed late in 2015 in federal court in Columbus implicated Daniel Rippy of making the “electronic communication” danger from California throughout the video game in between Ohio State and Michigan in 2018. The video game was played in Columbus that year, and Ohio State won 62-39.
Rippy, 29, threatened a shooting at the school, stating in a Facebook message to the university, “Im seriously going to hurt the trainees and all of the players from the football group,” according to a declaration of facts submitted Wednesday with the plea agreement.
In separate messages, Rippy also threatened “to injure or kill particular players, their household members and the head coach,” the file stated.
Rippy formerly entered an innocent plea prior to Judge Algenon Marbley, who ordered him to stay in detention.
“Graphic dangers of violence against anyone, however especially threats during prominent occasions, are taken seriously and will be prosecuted,” said David DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.
Rippy faces 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing, which has not been set up.
He “accepts and comprehends” the terms of the plea contract, his federal public protector, Soumyajit Dutta, stated in a signed statement as part of Wednesdays plea agreement.
Rippy was apprehended Dec. 28 in Livermore, California, and launched on bond however then stopped working to report to the courts Pretrial Services division as required. Rippy also didnt report to a midway house as needed, court files stated.
He was rearrested in January and bought sent to Ohio.
Suspect accused of issuing threat during Ohio State-Michigan game enters guilty plea – ESPN
