Honolulu man charged with threatening Michigan governor, capitol

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Honolulu man is facing federal charges after allegedly sending threatening messages to law enforcement and Michigan’s governor.

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Federal prosecutors said Ronald Saville, 48, was charged Monday with sending interstate communications containing threats.

According to court documents, Saville allegedly emailed the Michigan State Police on May 9, saying he planned to enter the State Capitol in Lansing with a rifle and “kill as many people as possible.”

Prosecutors said he later sent a second email to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, threatening to “shoot up” the Capitol before targeting her.

Court records allege Saville later called the FBI and told an agent he wanted to kill Whitmer because of her political affiliation and had been researching a trip to Michigan to carry out the threats.

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Saville was arrested Monday in Abilene, Texas, and made his initial appearance in federal court there. He was ordered detained pending transportation to Hawaiʻi.

Federal prosecutors noted Saville was previously convicted in Hawaii federal court for making threats against former President George W. Bush in 2006 and former U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway in 2012.

If convicted, Saville faces up to five years in prison on each count, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release.

The charges are allegations, and Saville is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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