A Monmouth County man has been arrested and charged with making online threats in connection with online social media and local newspaper incidents, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Ronald Charles, 54, of Freehold, has been charged with second-degree false public alarm and fourth-degree contempt.

The case background … 

On Monday, Dec. 3, an individual using the Twitter handle @NJSuxx posted two alarming text messages threatening law enforcement. An investigation revealed that the Twitter account was associated with Ronald Charles. Further investigation revealed that Charles contacted a local media outlet (which the prosecutor did not name) to take out an advertisement making similar threats.

Pursuant to a prior court order, Charles is not allowed to use the internet.

Charles is scheduled to have his initial appearance and detention hearing on Wednesday Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. in Superior Court before Judge James J. McGann.

In 2016, Prosecutor Gramiccioni, with assistance from former State Senator Jennifer Beck and other state legislators, was instrumental in amending the false public alarm statute.

The amendment increased the penalties for the crime of false public alarm when there is the report of an impending bomb, hostage situation, a person is armed with a deadly weapon or there is any other incident that elicits an immediate or heightened response by law enforcement or emergency services.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office