FBI Arrests Man Allegedly Threatening Texas Pride Parade

The FBI has arrested Joshua Cole,⁤ a Texas man, for allegedly making online threats against an upcoming Pride parade in Abilene.

Cole, using the ⁣facebook alias “Jay Dubya,” reportedly posted comments threatening violence, including “lock and load” ‍and “hunting fairies,” and referenced the recent death of ​right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

FBI special agent Sam Venuti confirmed Cole’s identity and, after ‍a traffic stop, Cole ​admitted to owning ⁣the ‍Facebook⁣ account, making ⁣the threatening posts, and possessing ‌a firearm. He acknowledged that a reasonable⁣ person could interpret his comments as threats, though he​ denied intent to carry them out.

Venuti’s affidavit ‍concluded​ that cole’s threats were “specific” and “not‍ conditional