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Des Moines man arrested on a terrorism charge

News

April 3rd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

A man who allegedly contacted several city officials and offices was arrested Friday after Des Moines Police say he made threatening remarks about a mass shooting. KCCI TV says court documents show 59-year-old Richard Wisecup, of Des Moines, called an employee of the city manager’s office on Friday evening.

Document say In a voicemail, Wisecup said, “I can see why people snap and people go on shooting sprees.” The criminal complaint said Wisecup listed multiple government agencies he was unhappy with, including Mayor Frank Cownie, the Des Moines Police Department, the Des Moines City Council, the County Attorney and the Board of Supervisors.

The County Attorney and Board of Supervisors previously had a no contact order issues against Wisecup that he violated. The criminal complaint states Wisecup said, “and I’m right there. I’m right there. I’m one step away from being right there and doing the same thing that all those other people have done.”

Police arrested Wisecup for threat of terrorism and violation of a no contact order. He’s being held in the Polk County Jail on $110,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is set for 8 a.m. on April 13.