(CBS DETROIT) – A Michigan man has been charged after authorities say he allegedly threatened an Oakland County highway inspector.
Kenneth Michael Oliver, 38, of Lincoln Park, is charged with malicious use of a telecommunications device, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. Malicious use of a telecommunications device carries a penalty of six months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.
Authorities say the highway patrolman was monitoring a construction site in a security truck on August 9 when Oliver allegedly drove recklessly, ran over construction cones and cut off another driver. The officer turned on her lights and honked, prompting Oliver to get out of his car, yell at the woman and pound on her truck, according to a news release.
Oliver was cited for careless driving in that incident.
However, on August 21, the Oakland County Road Commission’s social media accounts received a message from Oliver, allegedly saying where the road inspector lived and “beating her to death.” Prosecutors alleged that Oliver also sent a message threatening to shoot the inspector and her family, ending the message with “I have guns.”
“This was a public servant doing her job,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement. “She should not be subjected to such violent threats, nor should anyone else. I commend the Oakland County Road Commission staff for immediately reporting this incident to law enforcement.”
