San Antonio Terroristic Threat Arrest: Converse Man Charged Over Facebook Comments

Police say alleged threats appeared beneath posts about a proposed property tax increase

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A 38-year-old Converse man has been charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant after San Antonio police investigated Facebook comments that allegedly threatened city officials, judges, lawyers and police officers amid discussion of the city’s proposed property tax hike.

Timothy Alejos was arrested Aug. 18 and booked into the Bexar County jail on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail records. A judge set bond at $75,000. Alejos posted bond Tuesday and was released from custody later that day, records show.

The case stemmed from comments police said Alejos made on social media earlier in August. Detectives reviewed his recent online activity after identifying a comment posted beneath an Aug. 13 story on KSAT 12 News' Facebook page concerning the proposed tax increase.

In that post, the commenter wrote that city officials perceived as doing better financially than the average person would be “dealt with” and “definitely not on a ballot,” according to the arrest affidavit. The comment ended with a water-gun emoji.

Investigators also cited a second comment beneath a separate tax-related Facebook post. That message included a statement about “taking out cops, judges and lawyers, then city officials,” the affidavit said. Police said that comment also ended with a water-gun emoji.

Detectives sought emergency information from Facebook

Court documents show the lead investigator submitted an Emergency Disclosure Request to Facebook as part of the inquiry. Detectives also reviewed prior police reports and related records, which the affidavit says helped connect the Facebook account and the comments to Alejos.

The allegations underscore the growing role of social-media evidence in investigations involving alleged threats against government employees and other public officials. Authorities did not identify any specific official named in the comments or disclose a particular planned attack in the records described in the case.

Alejos was charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant, a third-degree felony under the charge listed in Bexar County jail records. A criminal charge is an allegation, and Alejos has not been convicted in the case.

No injuries were reported in connection with the alleged online threats. Alejos is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Dec. 8, according to court records, as the case continues through the Bexar County criminal justice system.