LANSING (WWJ) – A West Michigan man accused of making terrorist threats inside a courtroom days after the mass shooting at Michigan State University has been charged.
Daniel Callahan, 59, of Fruitport, was arraigned last week on charges of false report or threat of terrorism and using a computer to commit a crime, both of which are felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Callahan’s case is being prosecuted by Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit.
The charges stem from a Feb. 15 appearance before the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids in a separate case. During that hearing, Callahan allegedly “expressed frustration with the government” by asking on the record, “What is it going to take, somebody to get shot before the State acts on it?”
The following week Callahan allegedly filed a pleading in the same case, stating that if the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court did not act “lawfully,” and grant his requested relief, they and other entities would earn a “future Performance Award for MSU Stage Act 2, West Michigan 2023.”
Court employees took that pleading to be a threat to commit a mass shooting, similar to what had happened at Michigan State University just 10 days prior.
On Feb. 13 a 47-year-old gunman opened fire inside two buildings on campus, killing three students and injuring five others.
In subsequent pleadings, Callahan allegedly expressed a grievance towards the Department of Attorney General and Attorney General Nessel specifically, referencing her by name multiple times. His filing calls for the AG to be removed from office and prosecuted.
“These are serious charges based on serious threats. Anyone who threatens or tries to intimidate government officials or public bodies will be held accountable,” Nessel said. “My office will continue to respond to these types of threats wherever they occur.”
After the charges were filed, Callahan turned himself in at the 61st District Court on a $500,000 bond with a GPS tether. He was arrested on March 4.
Authorities have not released any details about the initial case against Callahan that brought him to the Court of Appeals.
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