Jerry Gordon, a 56-year-old Colorado resident, was sentenced to two years in prison for transmitting a threat in interstate commerce after he sent threatening text messages to a man in Aurora, New York. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Elizabeth C. Coombe and includes an additional three-year term of post-release supervision.
According to court records, Gordon admitted as part of his guilty plea that in April 2025 he threatened the victim via text message, telling him to “get his affairs in order before Friday April 25, 2025,” and stating that he would “drink your blood from the chalice that I will make out of your heart.” Law enforcement officials arrested Gordon at Syracuse airport on April 25, 2025, after becoming aware of the threats.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Disgusting threats to kill the citizens of our district will not be tolerated. The defendant not only made these abhorrent threats; he traveled from Colorado to Syracuse to make good on them. Thankfully, local, state and federal agents, working together, were one step ahead of him. They apprehended the defendant as he was getting off the plane, thwarting his devious plans.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli added: “The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, worked to identify, investigate, and quickly intercept Mr. Gordon before he could follow through on his disturbing threats of violence. Today’s sentence should send a clear message that the FBI will not stand idly by when a dangerous individual threatens the safety of our communities.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI’s Albany Field Office; New York State Police; Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Police Department; Syracuse Police Department; Cornell Police Department; Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office; United States Marshals Service; Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office; Federal Air Marshal Service; and Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J.L. Brown prosecuted the case.
