Stoneville man charged with threats to President Obama

A Stoneville man appeared in court Wednesday on charges connected to making threats to assassinate President Barack Obama.

Steve Lee Stone, 44, of 109 Abernathy Drive, was charged with misuse of 911 system, communicating threats and resisting a public officer. He appeared in court Wednesday.

According to a report from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, a county emergency communications dispatcher received a call July 30 from a caller who stated he was going to assassinate the president. The call was traced to a trailer park on Bob Trail in Stoneville.

Officers were unable to locate the caller, but the United States Secret Service was notified of the call.

About 24 hours later, dispatchers received another call from the same caller. A Secret Service agent and Detective Steve Perkins of the sheriff’s office began investigating and went to Stone’s address.

During the investigation, Stone became combative and refused to listen to verbal commands, the report said. He resisted arrest until a deputy used a Taser to get him under control. He was then handcuffed and taken to the magistrate’s office.

Sheriff Sam Page said this is first time during his tenure that his office has dealt with someone making threats against the president.

“We take all threats serious and were glad when this man was located. We often work with the Secret Service and, fortunately, it is not ordinarily for this reason,” Page said. “I believe this if the first threat made against a president since I have been sheriff.”