USA: Man Arrested for Threatening Governor Over Anime

A 35-year-old man was arrested in Texas after allegedly threatening employees at Governor Greg Abbott’s office over an age restriction that prevented him from accessing an anime website.

According to court documents obtained by authorities, Joseph Roy Ozment, a Houston resident, allegedly left a voicemail at the governor’s office on July 25. In the recording, he complained about the state’s age verification laws and threatened to stab employees if the restriction was not removed.

Man allegedly became angry after being blocked

Ozment told ABC13 that he regularly watches anime on Crunchyroll and encountered an age verification screen while trying to access the service.

He said he tried to confirm that he was over 18 using his Google account, but the restriction continued to appear. According to Ozment, the situation eventually caused him to become extremely frustrated.

In an interview with the news station, Ozment said he had a “mental breakdown” at the time and did not remember exactly what he had said in the voicemail left for the government.

However, the contents of the recording were included in court documents and contained explicit threats against government employees.

Threats led to his arrest

After receiving the message, an employee at the governor’s office reportedly contacted authorities out of concern for their own safety and that of their coworkers.

Investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were able to locate the phone associated with the call. The signal indicated that the device was in Cypress, a city about 30 miles from Houston.

Ozment was arrested and later released after posting a $5,000 bond.

As part of his release conditions, he must undergo a mental health evaluation, is prohibited from possessing firearms, and is not allowed to enter the Texas Capitol Complex or the governor’s office.

What Is Happening in Texas Regarding Anime?

The state has passed laws that increased age verification requirements for users accessing certain digital services. These measures have also sparked discussions about their potential impact on platforms that offer content considered inappropriate for minors.

In Ozment’s case, the court documents do not specify exactly which anime he was trying to watch when he encountered the restriction.

However, the man said he was trying to use Crunchyroll and believed it was unfair for his access to be restricted even though he is over 18.

What could happen to him?

Ozment is facing a charge of making a terroristic threat with the intent to influence the government, which is considered a third-degree felony in Texas.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

A criminal defense attorney interviewed by ABC13, who is not connected to the case, explained that the issue was not simply Ozment’s complaint about the law. According to the attorney, the situation became a criminal matter because of the explicit threat of violence against government employees.

The case is expected to return to court later in August.

via ABC13 e FOX 7 Austin