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Computer (illustrative)Flash 90

A man from Birmingham, Alabama was indicted Wednesday for threatening the life of President Barack Obama via Twitter.

Jarvis Britton, 25, was charged with “knowingly threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict bodily harm on the president by tweeting the message, ‘Let’s kill the president. F.E.A.R.’ on Sept.14,” according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance.  


"Threats on the life of the president of the United States are a serious matter. We will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law," Vance said, according to local news reports.

Britton reportedly refused to comply with authorities when they attempted to fingerprint and photograph him last week, a local newspaper reported.

According to court documents, Britton first began tweeting threats against Obama in late June, allegedly saying, "Free speech? Really? Let's test this! Let's kill the president!"

Several people from the area have been connected to a national militia group called F.E.A.R. — Forever Enduring Always Ready, which reportedly had a range of terrorism plans and ultimately sought to overthrow the U.S. government and assassinate the president.

Prosecutors on Wednesday didn’t say if Britton was tied to the group.

The court is scheduled to decide whether or not Britton may be released from Jefferson Country prison by Thursday afternoon.