Authorities arrested a Seneca Falls man early New Year’s Eve after he allegedly threatened residents attending the town’s annual Ball Drop celebration.
24-year-old Mekhi Russ is charged with Intimidating a Victim or Witness in the Third Degree and Making a Terroristic Threat. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility pending arraignment in the Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Part Court.
Police say the investigation began around 2:35 a.m. on Wednesday, after Russ reportedly posted threats on social media targeting members of the community attending the event. The investigation also found that Russ allegedly tried to intimidate a witness connected to a separate, ongoing criminal matter.
The Town of Seneca Falls Police Department, working with the Seneca County District Attorney’s Office, quickly assessed the threat and arrested Russ. Officials stress that there is no credible danger to the public, and a visible police presence will be maintained at the New Year’s Eve celebration to ensure safety.
Police thanked the public for its cooperation and urged anyone with information related to this or other incidents to contact the department.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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