NORTH WILDWOOD – County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Chief Matthew Gallagher of the North Wildwood Police Department announce the arrest of Jake M. Freeman, 20, of the 1100 block Hoffman Canal, North Wildwood for false public alarm.
During the early morning hours of June 24, members of the Wildwood Police Department received information that Freeman allegedly posted threats on his Facebook page earlier in the evening. Wildwood officers determined Freeman lived in North Wildwood and notified the North Wildwood Police Department. Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit and Major Crimes Unit then responded to assist North Wildwood detectives with this investigation.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Freeman allegedly posted violent threats on Facebook about conducting a mass shooting. Freeman was charged with false public alarm and bail was set by Judge Louis Belasco, JMC at $25,000 (10 percent).
Prosecutor Taylor said that in today’s environment, threats made on social media will be taken seriously and the Prosecutor’s Office will prosecute individuals involved in making these threats to the fullest extent of the law.
Prosecutor Taylor also urges anyone who has information concerning threats on social media or any other illegal activity to contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, or anonymously by texting the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on the anonymous tip.
Prosecutor Taylor commended the cooperative efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved who assisted with this investigation.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This report is based on information received from law enforcement.
