A Laramie man is accused of posting violent threats against Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Facebook, including one post where investigators say he wrote, “I actually might assassinate you if you don’t meet with me.”
Dawson Brooks Cooley, 27, has been arrested and is being charged with using social media to threaten serious bodily injury or death to an elected public official. The charge was filed Wednesday in Albany County Circuit Court.
The investigation began April 23 after a state employee flagged a series of alarming Facebook posts directed at Gordon, wrote Wyoming Highway Patrol Capt. Tom Pritchard in an affidavit filed with the court.
Investigators say the rambling and at times disjointed posts quickly escalated from profanity-laced political rants into explicit threats.
In one post reviewed by investigators, Cooley reportedly wrote: “you know its bad when the best news ive heard all week is that governor whats his face isn’t running for a third term" (sic).
Another post from later that day said, “my hatred for that old governor that im going to interview if I have to at gunpoint so I can ask him if hes met the other 'gubernatorial' (3 laughing emojis) imagine knowing what you are In life is a gubernatorial candidate..."
In the same rant, in all capital letters, the post continues: "CRAZY NOBODY I WONT MEET WITH BECAUSE I HAVE TO PROMISE VIOLENCE, SPIRITUALLY FOR CERTAIN BUT MAYBE VIOLENT. ***PRECISELY AS A CONDITION OF** YOUR PRETENTIOUS...SELF CENTERED ARROGATN (sic) REFUSAL TO MEET WITH ME COMBINED WITH YOUR LACK OF DILIGENCE TO THE MOST BASIC FORM OF OPEN COMMUNICATION YOU F------ HAVE WITH YOUR 'CONSTITUENCY.'
The affidavit says that Cooley’s rants escalated a couple of hours later: "SO DO WHAT THE F--- I SAY OR YOURE ALL GONNA DIE. Not literally but. The whole thing behind that sentiment is literally, no joke or anything truly," (sic).
Cooley’s Facebook and Instagram accounts appeared to be set to private as of Thursday afternoon. His Facebook profile photo is the famous 1989 Tank Man photo from the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, China.
The account bio identifies him simply as “President.”
A public Tumblr account appearing to belong to Cooley uses the phrase “Future Prez” in its profile description.
The account paints a scattered and chaotic online persona built around politics, media, conspiracy commentary and personal grievances.
The page mixes long streams of political thoughts, reposted memes, references to journalism, and erratic posts about government, power and public figures.
‘I'd Definitely Feel Very Threatened'
Investigators interviewed Cooley at a Burger King in Laramie on April 24, where, according to the affidavit, he acknowledged the posts were “concerning.”
When asked how he would feel if the comments had been directed at him, investigators wrote that Cooley replied, “I’d definitely feel very threatened.”
The affidavit states Cooley was upset that the governor’s office would not schedule a meeting with him. Cooley had also requested records about data centers and water rights.
Investigators later learned Cooley had submitted online meeting requests to the governor’s office under the name “Dawson Cool” and had also called the office directly.
Court records show that one request was denied because Cooley listed his state of residence as Delaware. A second request was denied because he could not convince officials that he was affiliated with a news or media agency.
Father Warned Investigators
The affidavit also states investigators interviewed Cooley’s father, who reportedly described his son’s online behavior as unstable and worsening over time.
According to the affidavit, the father told investigators his son “toggles up and down” on Facebook and attributed some of the behavior to marijuana and Adderall use, which he claimed caused “drug-induced psychosis.”
Investigators wrote that the father said he believed his son was a threat while in Wyoming and that he had previously threatened his mother.
Case Filed In Albany County
While investigators say the posts were made in April, the case was officially filed Wednesday in Albany County Circuit Court.
Cooley is facing charges for using electronic communications to threaten death or serious bodily injury to an elected public official.
This is generally a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail, but under Wyoming law, when someone attempts to corruptly influence, intimidate or impede a public official in the discharge of their duties, it can be a felony crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
A warrant for his arrest was issued Tuesday and he was in custody by Friday, Albany County Attorney Kurt Britzius confirmed with Cowboy State Daily.
An anticipatory bond has been set at $20,000 cash only by Albany County Circuit Court Judge Robert Sanford.
A representative for Gordon’s office declined to comment when reached Thursday about the allegations and pending case.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
