Friday, July 05, 2013

Second teen spends months in jail for sarcastic video game threat


Just days after multiple news outlets reported the story of a Texas teen jailed for making a sarcastic threat online, a Mississippi mother facing a nearly identical situation gave an exclusive interview to The Daily Caller News Foundation about her son’s lengthy incarceration.

Josh Pillault was arrested last October for threatening to kill people and destroy buildings. At the time of his arrest, he was 19-years-old, and an avid video game player.

The threats were made while he was playing “Runescape,” an online multiplayer fantasy game. Another player began antagonizing him, and eventually told him to kill himself.

Irritated, Pillault said he would kill not just himself, but also take out the local high school. He also mentioned Columbine — the name of an infamous school shooting — according to reports.

It was the response that the other player had been hoping for, according to Pillault’s mother.

“His gleeful last words to Josh were ‘Knock, knock!’ which is a reference to the feds he sent our way,” wrote Stacey Pillault in an email to TheDC News Foundation.

Federal authorities raided the Pillault home a few days later, arresting Josh. He has been in jail ever since.

His lawyer argued that the threat was “idle or careless talk, exaggeration or something said in a joking manner.”

Josh possessed none of the materials he would need to carry out such an attack, nor was there any good reason to believe he was serious, said his mother.

“His doctors have said he wouldn’t hurt himself or anyone else,” she wrote. “We actually have teachers who were willing to testify that they knew it wasn’t a true threat as soon as they found out it was Josh. Even his fellow inmates and guards have commented on how they can’t believe he is still in there.”

Josh turned 20 in December — behind bars. As of next week, his incarceration will have lasted 9 months.

Source



8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Political correctness is a far greater threat to our freedom and liberty than is terrorism..."

Anonymous said...

Land of the free, home of the brave. Hah. Happy 4th everyone. Be sure to fly your flags upside down, as this is a country truly in distress.

Anonymous said...

American citizens are not free. They're delusional slaves, screaming to the heavens about their non-existent liberties while happily wearing chains. None of their constitutional rights escape extreme limitation by their tyrannical government.

Anonymous said...

Please tell me a better place than the US.
I have dual citizenship and recent passports...
I'll hop on the next plane or boat to a better place...where is it?

jonjayray said...

Australia or New Zealand are much nicer places

Anonymous said...

Is what he said stupid? Yes. Did it merit jail time? NO!

God, whatever happened to common sense?

Unknown said...

I'm so super sorry he's gone through I can't wait to throw back a few and will help him in any way when he gets out this kid was just that a kid they've taken his life but trust and believe we as a community will welcome and protect and help him when he gets out love ya -Kourtney Miller-

Unknown said...

Joshua you will not have anything to worry about when you get out you will be helped and party'd with lolcant wait til you get out