Maryland man who called himself 'joker' charged - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

A Maryland prosecutor has filed a misdemeanor charge against a man accused of making telephone threats against a former boss.

An arrest warrant has now been sworn out for Neil Edwin Prescott, 28, who according to court documents, referred to himself as a "Joker," and who threatened, "I'm gonna load my guns and blow everybody up."

Prescott has now been charged with "misuse of telephone facilities." In Maryland, a conviction on that charge could lead to a three-year prison term.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks told reporters Maryland should have a stronger law – a felony – covering telephone threats, and added, in the future, she will ask the legislature to write such a statute.

Prescott remains in a mental health facility undergoing evaluation and treatment.

Police in Anne Arundel County found about two dozen weapons in his apartment in Crofton, last Friday. There were also thousands of rounds of ammunition seized at the man's home.

Prince George's County Police Chief Mark Magaw confirmed that officers in Anne Arundel County, in an initial interview with Prescott, concluded that the man appeared "unstable." He was convinced to voluntarily commit himself, said Magaw, who intends to have the arrest warrant served at the time of Prescott's release.

Prosecutor Alsobrooks said Prescott, because of the pending charges, will not be allowed to retrieve his arsenal of weapons, and he will be barred from purchasing any new guns.

The prosecutor said federal charges may also be filed against Prescott. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) referred questions to the U.S. Attorney for Maryland. His office declined comment.