The Charge in Workplace Threat Case Is a Misdemeanor
A Maryland man accused of making threats against his workplace and who had a large cache of legally owned weapons was charged Wednesday with a misdemeanor, according to state officials.
Neil Prescott, 28, has been charged with misuse of a telephone and will be formally arrested once he is released from a hospital, where he’s been undergoing a court-ordered mental evaluation.
Prescott was taken into custody early Friday morning and a search of his home revealed about 25 weapons, including hand guns and assault rifles, along with 40 large steel boxes of assorted ammunition, officials said.
Angela Alsobrooks, the state’s attorney for Prince George’s County, said that although Prescott allegedly made serious threats, it was not possible to bring felony charges.
“Maryland does not have a statute on the books that makes it expressly illegal for a person to communicate generalized threats over the telephone,” said Alsobrooks. She said Maryland should have a stronger law about such threats and that she would lobby for one.
Alsobrooks also said no weapons charges could be brought because Prescott owns his guns legally.
Prescott worked as a subcontractor for Pitney Bowes and was in the process of being fired.