SCRANTON, PA — A Lackawanna County man is facing criminal charges after allegedly telling a post office employee he planned to attack a political rally in Scranton last weekend.
Authorities charged Paul Bechtoldt, 72, of Peckville, with making terroristic threats following an incident at the Peckville Post Office on Saturday morning.
According to reports, Bechtoldt told a post office employee he was going to go to Scranton to shoot up the 'No Kings' protesters," referring to the anti-administration rally scheduled in the city that day. The employee immediately called 911, taking the threat seriously.
Police were dispatched to Bechtoldt's home. While Bechtoldt later told police his statement was merely a joke, the post office employee maintained to law enforcement that the 72-year-old was serious. Bechtoldt also admitted to police that he possesses firearms.
The rally, held on Courthouse Square, was one of two "No Kings" protests that took place in Northeast Pennsylvania over the weekend. Bechtoldt's arrest marks the second reported incident of direct threats against participants of the local rallies.