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Edward Cieri Jr. is believed to have placed a phone call to the Penllyn Blue Bell Pike office in Whitpain Township and called Joseph Rittenhouse, who was working the desk, a f**got on Saturday morning, Oct. 26, according to Montgomery County DA Kevin R. Steele and the affidavit.
Rittenhouse said he mocked Cieri, which made him upset. That's when Cieri said, "I'll put one in your head," then said he would shoot the staffer and told him he'd "shoot the place up" or "blow it up," police paperwork says.
The caller ID on the call was traced to a woman later identified as Cieri's mother, and Cieri was identified as a suspect.
Cieri told investigators he placed the call because he was angry over politics.
Steele said that Cieri crossed a line when he threatened to physically harm a political staffer.
"That criminal behavior will not be tolerated in Montgomery County," he said. "We are committed to a fair, safe, and free election, and all of Montgomery County law enforcement is committed to acting swiftly to investigate any threat of violence related to this election and arrest the individuals involved."
Cieri was charged with threatening to place weapons of mass destruction, terroristic threats, and harassment. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Maureen Coggins, who set bail at $35,000.
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