SALT LAKE CITY — A Magna man was charged Tuesday with threatening to assault and kill an officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Ryan David Lucero, 33, was charged with one count of influencing a federal officer by threat.
Lucero allegedly made the threat on June 7, a week after a riot in Salt Lake City in which police officers were injured and a police vehicle was destroyed.
It is believed the Veterans Affairs officer was targeted as he previously worked for UPD and parked his patrol car in his driveway for many years before retiring two years ago.
The officer's teenage daughter discovered the threat in the family's mailbox.
“Police officers and their families make great sacrifices to keep our communities safe." said U.S. Attorney John W. Huber. "They have the right to live safely in their own homes, as we all do, and should not have to endure the threat that has been alleged in this indictment. We will bring to justice those who harm or threaten law enforcement officers in violation of federal law.”
Officials are looking to keep Lucero detained as they consider him to be a flight risk and for the safety of the victim and his family.
