Police said John Dorian, 49, allegedly sent the Democratic mayor two emails that contained violent and threatening language.Police records filed Thursday at the Criminal District Court show the emails were sent to Cantrell’s government account from an email address that included Dorian’s name, according to The Times-Picayune.
Both emails allegedly expressed the desire for Cantrell to be lynched, with one saying she should be “left to dangle” for four years.
Dorian was arrested at his home and later booked Wednesday on the misdemeanor charges of unlawful telecommunications and threatening a public official. Police said his alleged emails to Cantrell were “threatening in nature, extremely alarming, and (presented) a credible threat for the safety of the mayor.”
The first email was reportedly sent on August 18 at about 4:15 a.m. The message mentioned “edicts” from the “mayor,” and it also referenced treason and said Cantrell should be hanged, The Times-Picayune reported.
“It’s time for you to answer for your crimes,” the newspaper said the email stated. “When it comes for your lynching, I’ll be the first one in line to pull that lever.”
The second email was sent on October 9 at around 12:10 a.m. Local news station WWL-TV reported it read: “You disgust me to the very core of my soul. If it were up to my (sic) I’d have you executed for your crimes against the people. I’d string you up from the highest yard arm in the city and let everyone watch your legs dangle for the 4 years like you did with the corpses in the Hard Rock.”
“You don’t make decisions for anybody,” the email reportedly continued. “In this country we decide how we live our lives and deal with our health. You stay out of it. You are guilty of treason and you should be hanged!”
On Thursday, a court set Dorian’s bail at $10,000 and ordered him to stay at least 600 feet away from Cantrell.
This is the second time in a month that someone threatened Cantrell. Daniel Jenkins, 59, was booked on September 19 after he allegedly called 911 and threatened to shoot the mayor if his trash didn’t get picked up by city workers. Jenkins was charged with one count of terrorizing and is currently out on bond until his case is heard by a court.
Cantrell announced on August 12 that proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a recent negative test would be required at bars, restaurants and venues in Orleans Parish. The mandate remains in place. Her administration has also been criticized for uncollected trash left in the city after Hurricane Ida’s landfall.
Cantrell is seeking reelection next month, and early polls show her controlling a sizable lead.
