Local man who made threats on Facebook against Ferguson cop sentenced to 2 months time-served

SEATTLE -- A Kirkland man who posted threats on Facebook against cops in Ferguson, Mo., was sentenced Thursday to two months, but with time served, he will be not be going to prison.

Jaleel Tariq Abdul-Jabbaar, 46, was arrested by FBI agents last Dec. 2 and he pleaded guilty Feb. 2.

According to records in the case, Abdul-Jabbaar started posting threats on his Facebook page shortly after the Aug. 9, 2014, shooting of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson. The threats continued through late November.

Abdul-Jabbaar posted various statements about killing police officers and traveling to Ferguson, Missouri.  Among others, Abdul-Jabbaar stated: “We need to kill (the officer) and anything that has a badge on.”

The records also said Abdul-Jabbaar also used Facebook communications to discuss acquiring a firearm.

At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik recognized that everyone involved in the case has worked hard to obtain a just outcome that ensures public safety.

Lasnik noted that the U.S. Supreme court is considering a case concerning Facebook threats.

“It is an area of the law that is in a state of flux,” Lasnik said.

Lasnik said he accepted the argument that Abdul-Jabbaar's comments were simply a strong reaction to events in Ferguson, and he didn't intend to follow through on a threat to shoot Darren Wilson.

Lasnik ordered that Abdul-Jabbaar's Internet use be monitored by probation and law enforcement officers during his three-year term of supervised release.