Travis County, TX — A 35-year-old Houston man is facing a felony charge after Texas investigators say he threatened to stab employees at the Governor’s Office during an angry voicemail over online content restrictions he claimed were blocking his access to anime.
According to a Texas Department of Public Safety arrest affidavit, Joseph Roy Ozment called the Governor’s Constituent Communications line on July 25 and left a profanity-filled message demanding that state laws be reversed.
Investigators said the voicemail included an explicit threat to stab employees at the office.
Because of the threat of violence, the message was forwarded to the DPS Executive Protection Bureau and assigned to Criminal Investigations Division special agents. Investigators later used an emergency location ping that placed the phone in Cypress.
The employee who reviewed the message reportedly told investigators the threat caused genuine concern for his safety, his coworkers, and others at the Texas Capitol Complex.
Ozment was charged with Terroristic Threat to Influence Government, a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
Court records indicate Ozment was released after posting a $5,000 bond. His release conditions include undergoing a mental health evaluation, possessing no firearms, and staying away from the Texas State Capitol Complex and Governor’s Office.
The affidavit does not identify the specific anime content or website Ozment was allegedly attempting to access.