Former Deputy Indicted for Courthouse Threats Following Custody Battle Loss
A former deputy from Massachusetts is facing serious charges after allegedly inciting over a hundred law enforcement officers to join him in a destructive plan. Joshua P. Ford, aged 42, hailing from Kingston, Massachusetts, has been indicted on three counts of transmitting threats across state lines, as revealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Ford, who served as a deputy for the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office from 2009 to 2017, is accused of sending around 12 emails on March 13, 2023, to approximately 140 recipients, predominantly comprising Massachusetts law enforcement officers. The messages carried an alarming tone, suggesting a bleak view of the justice system and advocating for confrontation.
In the emails, Ford called on fellow officers to gear up for a perceived battle, urging them to arm themselves with firearms and armored vehicles. He even explicitly mentioned his intention to burn down the Plymouth County Courthouse.
The prosecution alleges that Ford’s emails included links to a video he posted on YouTube and BitChute, titled “War Has Been Declared F*’em All.” This 11-minute video features Ford speaking directly to the camera from his kitchen.
According to the Boston Herald, the video captures Ford expressing frustration over losing custody of his daughter, mentioning his ex- or estranged wife by name despite a restraining order against such disclosures.
Ford’s incendiary remarks in the video are disconcerting. He declares, “We got no law anymore, so what are we going to do? We’re going to f—ing fight. They want to fight for this country. I’m going to fight.” He further emphasizes his intention to level the Plymouth Courthouse and demands others to join him in his quest for justice.
Ford’s video takes a dark turn as he criticizes the justice system, police officers, and various officials, asserting corruption at every level. He singles out Middlesex Sheriff’s officers and vows to confront them directly, making troubling threats.
The indictment reveals that Ford not only called for armed reinforcements but also detailed a sinister plan involving firearms, explosives, and even armored vehicles, set for the following day. However, his arrest preempted the destructive plot, and local law enforcement took him into custody after the emails were sent.
Ford is currently in state custody and will later face trial in U.S. District Court in Boston. The charges of transmitting threatening communications carry a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, a three-year supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
This incident raises questions about the emotional toll of personal grievances on individuals and their potential to harm public safety. As the legal process unfolds, society will closely watch how justice is served in this troubling case.