A retired Warwick fire lieutenant was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence Wednesday on charges that he threatened state and local officials on numerous occasions online and via email.
Barry J. LaFleur, 57, of Cranston, a 23-year veteran firefighter, posted numerous messages over the years at a number of online forums threatening to injure or kill city officials, according to the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney. One sample reads:
“I would like to be the person who walks into Warwick Rhode Island fire department headquarters with an ak47 and kills the chief, the mayor, and the chief of police for good cause. Then I will tell you why.”
In addition he is charged with sending thousands of threatening emails.
LaFleur’s disputes with the City of Warwick date back to 2014 when he suffered injuries on the job, and he began making threats against the city. Warwick Police, Rhode Island State Police and the FBI have all taken part in investigations of LaFleur. He was admonished about making threats in at least one investigation.
However, according to the FBI, threats continued, occurring as recently as January 2022.
LaFleur “made threats of violence (e.g. to kill, shoot, commit work-place slaughters; terror incidents, and mass killings), directed mainly towards public officials in the City of Warwick, in tens-of-thousands of messages he authored and transmitted primarily via emails and online postings,” the Justice Department said in announcing the charges.
Charging documents allege that LaFleur transmitted the threats both while employed and after his retirement from the Warwick Fire Department. After his arraignment LaFleur was allowed to return home, subject to GPS monitoring.
