NYPD Arrests Teen for Making Emoji "Threats" on Facebook
The NYPD takes threats against police very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that a 17-year-old was arrested on Sunday for allegedly threatening police officers with emojis on his Facebook page.
The NYPD arrested Osiris Aristy at his home early Sunday morning after an informant told police about the teen's Facebook page, which includes photos with captions showing several gun emojis pointed at a police officer emoji. Aristy's Facebook photos also appear to show the teen using drugs and discussing guns; according to the criminal complaint obtained by Gothamist, though, police were mostly concerned with the emoji "threats."
One such post reportedly read, "N***a run up on me, he gunna get blown down," followed by a cop emoji and three gun emojis pointing at it. Another, according to the complaint, read, "Fuck the 83 104 79 98 73 PctKKKK," followed by a cop emoji, two gun emojis and the line, "U know how I rock skrap." More posts of this nature appear on his Facebook page.
The complaint claims these postings "caused informant and other New York City police officers to fear for their safety, for public safety, and to suffer alarm and annoyance," and cops showed up at Aristy's home on Sunday.
Police allegedly found a .38 caliber handgun and 25 grams of marijuana while searching Aristy's home. The teen was charged with making terrorist threats, possession of drugs, and possession of weapons, and is being held on $150,000 bond.