Federal Charges for Indiana Man over Threats to US Naval Academy

An Indiana man is facing federal charges after allegedly making threats related to lockdowns and shootings at the US Naval Academy in Maryland. This development was reported by the Indiana U.S. Attorney’s Office on Tuesday.

Jackson Fleming, a 23-year-old from Chesterton, Indiana, was taken into custody last Friday. Authorities suspect he sent threatening messages via social media about the Naval Academy, according to a release from the attorney’s office.

Fleming has been charged with one count of making threats through interstate communications, the release indicated.

“We’re going to fight these charges in court,” said Fleming’s lawyer, Jonathan Bodhi, in an email. He emphasized that no one, including his client, should be judged solely on accusations from the government.

Bodhi expressed confidence in their defense, stating that they expect the full facts will support Fleming when revealed.

The threatening post triggered a lockdown at the academy on Thursday. It prompted officials to respond to what was ultimately a false report of a gunman on the premises.

During the ensuing chaos, a midshipman was accidentally shot in the shoulder after mistaking security personnel for a threat. Fortunately, the midshipman was released from the hospital on Friday.

The Naval Academy reassured the public that there was no actual threat from aggressive shooters, although some Navy Security Force members also sustained minor injuries during the incident and were treated before being released.

This false alarm came amid escalating concerns about violence, reflected in recent incidents at schools across the nation. For instance, a shooting at a high school in Denver injured two students and ended with the death of the gunman, while an incident at a Minneapolis church left two children injured.