Federal threats and weapons charges have been filed against a man from Franklin County who is now in detention. According to officials, the accused made violent threats against Pennsylvania Senator Doug Mastriano, as well as a Pennsylvania Air National Guard sergeant and others.
On June 21, Richard Little, who resides in the 2800 block of Roosevelt Drive in Greene Township, was charged with two counts. The first count was for making threats through interstate communications, while the second count was for possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Little is 49 years old.
Federal authorities are currently detaining him in Cumberland County Prison as they await further action on his case.
The reason behind the charges was a tip from Pennsylvania State Police to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents. They had noticed a range of social media posts and videos where Little was seen threatening violence towards Army Sgt. Major Sean Livolsi, Franklin County Commissioner Dean Horst, and Mastriano.
According to the criminal complaint filed by ATF agents, it seems that Little’s recent threats were a direct result of an eviction notice he received on June 10. The exact reason behind Little’s actions remains unclear at this time.
On that day, Little took to Facebook and wrote, “I’m ready. Kill switch engaged. Come evict me. Nobody around here wants to enforce federal law?” expressing his defiance towards the enforcement of federal law.
Federal agents reported that in one of his follow-up videos, Little verbally described the assault he was planning on anyone who dared to come to his property. He also showcased several guns that he claimed were readily available.
Little directly threatened each of the three named victims in his subsequent posts. In one of his videos, he also showed marijuana and admitted to using the controlled substance, according to agents.
On June 21, agents arrested Little and conducted a search of his residence, according to U.S. Attorney Gerald Karam, who serves as the chief federal prosecutor for central Pennsylvania. During the search, law enforcement officials discovered 17 firearms, ammunition, marijuana, illegal mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia at Little’s home.