Prosecutors say a Midvale man’s angry emails and online rants crossed the line from venting to criminal threats, landing him in court on a terrorism-related charge tied to messages about state and federal employees.
Jared Scott Smith, 50, of Midvale, was charged Thursday in Third District Court with one count of making a threat of terrorism after investigators say a threatening email showed up at the Utah State Capitol and a series of violent social media posts raised alarms. Court documents state that the messages portrayed law enforcement officers and state employees as targets and included explicit calls for organized action that prosecutors argue amount to criminal threats.
What prosecutors allege
According to the charging documents, the State Bureau of Investigation was called on March 9 after a “threatening email” arrived at 350 N. State, the address of the Utah State Capitol, and investigators traced the message to Smith. Prosecutors say Smith also emailed members of the lieutenant governor’s staff and ended one message with the line, “I will advance my goal differently.”
The filings say the emails and social posts, including generated images that depicted officers as targets, created what prosecutors describe as substantial safety concerns, according to KSL.
Online posts and imagery
Prosecutors say Smith’s online posts between January and March used explicit language and calls to action. On Feb. 9, according to the charges, he wrote, “I feel murderous!!!!”
A March 8 post allegedly urged readers to “organize some people, a militia” to “arm ourselves” and “conduct raids” to “liberate” detainees. Charging documents also describe generated images that appear to show police viewed through a rifle scope and another image targeting an ICE agent, material prosecutors say added to the public safety concerns. Those excerpts and images are outlined in the court filings, according to KSL.
Legal consequences
Under Utah law, a “threat of terrorism” covers threats to commit an offense involving bodily injury, death, or substantial property damage when made with the intent to intimidate or influence government conduct. Certain versions of the offense are charged as second-degree felonies. The law also allows courts to order convicted defendants to reimburse public agencies or private entities for expenses incurred responding to a threat, according to the statute as codified by the Utah Legislature.
Next steps and context
Smith is charged in Third District Court, and the filings note he has a lengthy criminal history, which prosecutors say increases the safety concerns outlined in their documents. The State Bureau of Investigation’s Threat Management Unit handles targeted-violence investigations and coordinates with local and federal partners on cases like this, and the case will now move through the district court process. More information about the unit’s work is available from the State Bureau of Investigation.
