An upstate New York man was arrested Friday after allegedly threatening George W. Bush in an attempt to get close to the former president’s daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush.

Police apprehended Benjamin Smith, 44, in Greenwich Village, not far from the former first daughter’s home, according to the New York Daily News. The former president was not in New York City at the time and was not in danger.

“Bush will get his,” Smith screamed as he was taken into custody, after a loaded Rossi .38-caliber rifle, a machete and a container of gasoline were found in his vehicle, the Daily News reported.

Smith’s mother called authorities the day before, after finding a note threatening the former president and noticing the rifle was missing.

“I have to slay a dragon and then Barbara Bush will be mine,” he wrote, according to ABC News affiliate, WHAM. “America is finished.”

The Secret Service found Smith in New York City by using cellphone tracking devices.

Defense attorney Peggy Cross-Goldenberg said Smith never directly threatened the former president and that statements involving the daughter could be interpreted as a “million different things.”

• Author
• Recent Posts

Cheryl Carpenter Klimek

Administration
[email protected]

Latest posts by Cheryl Carpenter Klimek (see all)

• Florida Five: DWS draws serious primary opponent, Legislators haul in $28.5 mil. pre-session - January 18, 2016
• Florida Five: Trump’s ‘Freedom Kids’ take Internet by storm, Miami seeks help with Cuban migrants - January 15, 2016
• Florida Five: Trump rallies ‘noisy as hell majority’ in Fla., Senate passes historic water bill - January 14, 2016

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.