An Arizona high school teacher has been arrested for allegedly posting threats online against Donald Trump Jr. and conservative activist Charlie Kirk, police said.
Daniel Ashpeth, 24, a social studies teacher from Tempe, made an online threat on Oct. 17 against a Republican who was in the East Valley for a political rally. According to Tempe Police.
Police were alerted to a “threatening message” sent at a Tempe hotel in response to an automated mass-messaging system asking people to participate in an event by Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit founded by Kirk. announced.
Ashpes was arrested the same day and admitted to sending the messages during interrogation by detectives.
He was booked into the Tempe City Jail and charged with three counts of threatening to injure another person and one count of using a telephone to threaten or intimidate.
The newspaper contacted Tempe police for additional information.
Ashpeth is a teacher at Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee and a spokesperson for the Tempe Union High School District. Confirmed by AZ family.
He has since been placed on leave, officials said.
“While we cannot comment on the specifics of the situation, we are aware that the Tempe Police Department has filed charges in connection with the alleged online threats. TUHSD does not condone or condone any form of intimidation or harassment by staff or students. We do not,” the spokesperson said.
