Mora man charged with making threats of violence over email

A 64-year-old Mora man was charged on Friday with four felony counts of making threats of violence over email.

According to the criminal complaint, a music director at a Maple Grove church and a friend reported receiving threatening emails from John Sandeen Jr. between Sept. 13 and 16.

The music director believes Sandeen may have seen him perform in a concert at a church, but does not know him.

The emails reference the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, with Sandeen writing: "I think that you and your cohorts have killed my friend Charlie. For this I hold you and your people responsible."

A news release from the Hennepin County Attorney's office states that Sandeen referred to Kirk as his friend multiple times, and promised to commit acts of violence against the targeted individuals as retribution.

Sandeen also made sweeping threats against “liberal and left-leaning people” as well as people of specific ethnicities and nationalities.

He is currently being held in custody in Ramsey County.