12 Criminal 'Masterminds' Who Made Threats Right Out in the Open

As we recently learned while compiling this list, issuing a threat over social media, via text message, or through email is a federal crime that is punishable by up to five years in federal prison. You could even face state or local charges, so let’s just be safe and not threaten anyone online. Or in person, for that matter. Ya know what… If threatening people happens to be your jam at all, maybe reassess your anger management and conflict resolution skills.

You might not think the internet is real life, but as you’ll find out, airlines and law enforcement definitely think it is. A 14 year old Dutch girl found out the hard way after she tweeted a pretty intense terrorist “joke” to American Airlines. What felt like a thoughtless remark in the moment risked prison time and that whole “felon” label. Here’s that criminal mastermind and 11 others who made threats right out in the open.