Federal prosecutors say a Rochester man was arrested Tuesday for making a terroristic threat against the Islamic Center of Rochester. They say William Putnam, 53, faces state charges of harassment as a hate crime and a federal charge for transmitting threats to injure another person via interstate commerce.
A federal complaint against Putnam says a board member of the center found a voicemail message on Monday threatening to come to the center with a few friends and “shooting everyone in the head.” There were also anti-foreigner statements made.
An investigation quickly lead back to Putnam, who has lengthy criminal record involving 12 previous felony convictions and a history of mental health issues. Putnam had previously visited the center last year. He was taken to Rochester General Hospital for a mental health evaluation.