A former Middlesex County Sheriff’s deputy from Kingston, Massachusetts, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly making threats against the Plymouth County Courthouse and law enforcement officers. Joshua P. Ford, 42, is facing three counts of interstate transmission of a threatening communication. He is currently in state custody and will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston at a later date.
The indictment alleges that Ford, who served as a deputy for the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office between 2009 and 2017, sent 12 emails to approximately 140 people, with almost all recipients being Massachusetts law enforcement officers. The emails contained the same text, stating that there is no more justice system and calling for a fight. Ford allegedly urged the officers to arm themselves with firearms and armored vehicles, declaring, “Tomorrow we burn down the Plymouth County Courthouse to the ground.” The emails also included a link to a video Ford posted on YouTube and British video hosting service BitChute.
The video, titled “War Has Been Declared F***’em All,” shows an 11-minute recording of Ford speaking directly to the camera in a kitchen. In the video, Ford asserts that the justice system is corrupt and makes various derogatory statements about police officers, correctional officers, court officers, a judge, a prosecutor, defense attorneys, and others. He specifically expresses contempt for Middlesex Sheriff’s officers, claiming that he knows where they work and threatening to harm them. Ford also threatens to “break the arms and legs of every court officer” and to “kill” court security officers working at the Plymouth County Courthouse. He further calls on other law enforcement officers to bring weapons, gasoline, explosives, and tactical teams to support him in his confrontation, which he planned for the following day.
Local law enforcement arrested Ford on March 13, 2023, after the emails were sent.
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If convicted, Ford could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count of interstate transmission of a threatening communication. The sentence would be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
Threats against public institutions and law enforcement personnel are taken very seriously and are subject to severe penalties in order to maintain the safety and integrity of the justice system. The swift actions of local law enforcement in arresting Ford prevented any potential harm or disruption to the Plymouth County Courthouse.
It is essential to prioritize the safety of our courthouses and the individuals who work within them. Threats such as those allegedly made by Ford undermine the public’s trust and compromise the rule of law. Law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant in identifying and responding to threats in order to protect the integrity of the justice system.
This case also serves as a reminder of the potential dangers faced by law enforcement officers. They put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and deserve our respect and support. It is important for the public to maintain trust in law enforcement and to report any threats or suspicious activities to the authorities.
In conclusion, the indictment of Joshua P. Ford, a former Middlesex County Sheriff’s deputy, highlights the seriousness with which threats against the justice system and law enforcement officers are treated. The allegations of Ford’s threats to burn down the Plymouth County Courthouse and harm law enforcement officers demonstrate the need to safeguard the security and integrity of our courthouses and support those who work within the justice system. Threats to public institutions and law enforcement personnel undermine the rule of law and must be met with swift and severe consequences.
