A 31-year-old Davison Township man was charged Friday with threatening United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain in a series of text messages this week.
Zachary David White was charged with false report or threat of terrorism and false report or threat of a bomb or harmful device, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said in a statement.
An investigation by Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson found that White sent a “series of threatening text messages” to Fain’s cell at about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, Leyton said.
“I am not going to second guess Mr. White’s intentions nor am I going to view his messages as idle threats,” Leyton said. “Such tactics, no matter the reason, are uncalled for, inappropriate, dangerous and against the law.”
Genesee County officials did not release any additional information Friday about the specific nature of the threats made against Fain.
The text messages were sent less than 48 hours before the UAW launched a target strike of the Detroit Three automakers just after midnight Friday, shutting down assembly plants in Wayne, Toledo and suburban St. Louis.
A spokesman for the UAW declined to comment Friday.
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White is expected to be arraigned in Flint’s 67th District Court Saturday in front of Judge Herman Marable, according to court records.
The terrorism charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and the device charge carries a penalty of up to four years in prison.
Staff writer Kalea Hall contributed.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com