Routine Facebook monitoring by the New York City Police Department led to a teenager’s arrest this past weekend after cops allegedly found threats against police in photos, messages, and emojis.
Police obtained a warrant for the arrest of Osiris Aristy, 17, after seeing several Facebook posts that included photos of the teen sporting a firearm, writing aggressive message about cops, and posting police emojis next to gun emojis, the department told the DNAinfo.
“As a result of this conduct, the defendant has caused the informant and other New York City police officers to fear for their safety, for public safety, and to suffer alarm and annoyance,” the criminal complaint said, according to the news site.
Aristy was arrested on Sunday. Officers searched the teen’s residence and reportedly found a .38 Smith and Wesson firearm and 25 grams of pot.
Aristy’s attorney Fred Pratt told DNAinfo that the Facebook posts did not constitute “an actual threat” against any police officers, adding that the the gun-cop emoji combo can be found all over the Internet.
Here’s a screengrab of one of the Facebook posts, which was flagged by Animal New York and still live as of Friday morning.
Aristy had 12 prior arrests, including for robbery, assault, possession of marijuana, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to DNAinfo.
