Man Allegedly Leaves Threatening Voicemail To Michigan UIA Office Employees

A man has been arrested after allegedly leaving a threatening voicemail to Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency employees.

According to The Detroit News, Michigan State Police say 57-year-old Douglas Melrose was charged with making a terrorist threat to the Governor and employees at the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Michigan State Police were made aware of the threat. The threatening voicemail was left with the Governor's Constituent Services and the suspect said the voicemail was for Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Police also added that the suspect left his name and phone number. In the message, he noted that he was unhappy with Governor Whitmer about the pandemic and other various issues.

Michigan State Police say that Melrose also mentioned that he planned to load guns, go to the State Capitol and kill everyone he could find in the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Authorities say he also noted that the State of Michigan will give him the money he was owed, or he would travel to Lansing and "start shooting." He left a second message re-identifying himself and reiterating his threats in the first message.

An arrest warrant was issued and troopers were able to locate and take Melrose into custody. Melrose is currently being held at the Arenac County Jail. 

According to the Michigan Legislature, a terrorist threat is a felony and punishable by up to 20 years in prison.