ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A New York man charged with making threats against former president George W. Bush is being held pending a bail hearing, authorities said.
Ian Rotunno of Greece, N.Y., allegedly headed for Washington in his car after leaving threatening posts on his Facebook page, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.
"I want to punish the big wigs in washington with my own two hands, and theres a few people who've seen me obliterate a full grown pumpkin with one swoop," an entry for Oct. 6 reads.
The next day the Secret Service learned Rotunno had left his job in a machine shop after telling a coworker he was "grabbing my shotgun and I'm heading to Washington, D.C."
Authorities contacted Rotunno by phone as he was driving through New York Oct. 7 and persuaded him to turn himself in to police in Owego.
While being questioned by the Secret Service, Rotunno allegedly made threats against former President George W. Bush, court papers indicate.
Rotunno appeared in a federal court in Rochester Monday as federal prosecutors asked he be held without bail given the nature of the charges against him.
If released, Rotunno might engage in "obstructing justice through the intimidation of others," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Tyler said.
A bail hearing has been set for Nov. 15.
