BEAUMONT, Texas – A 26-year-old Cooper, Texas man has pleaded guilty to  making threats against the President of the United States of America in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Joseph Scott Sword pleaded guilty to making threats against the President today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin.

According to information presented in court, on May 31, 2011, Sword, who was incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Stiles Unit, located in Jefferson County, Texas, wrote a letter threatening the President and First Family.  Sword stated that he was a member of a violent street gang called the Black P Stone and that he had men on the street watching the President and his family.  Sword was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 18, 2012.

Sword faces up to five years in federal prison at sentencing.  A sentencing date has not been set.

            This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke.

 

 

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