By Jeff Goldman
nj.com
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A 38-year-old New Jersey man wanted for making a death threat against a sheriff in Florida who has been outspoken against an antisemitic hate group was arrested at his South Brunswick home on Monday, authorities said.
Richard Golden was taken into custody shortly after 1 p.m. at his condo on Tangelwood Court in the Monmouth Junction section of the township, South Brunswick police said Tuesday.
According to Florida authorities, Golden wrote on 4chan.org “Just shoot (Volusia County Sheriff Mike J.) Chitwood in the head. He stops being a problem. They have to find a new guy to be the new problem. But shooting Chitwood in the head solves the immediate problem permanently. Murder him.”
South Brunswick police seized electronic devices from Golden’s home when they arrested him, officials said.
Golden made the post around Feb. 23 and was tracked down through his IP address. At a press conference Wednesday, Chitwood called Golden “anti-government, anti-law enforcement” and “a marginalized member of society who spends hours and hours in extremist chat rooms.”
Chitwood went on to call Golden a “clown sitting in his bedroom who is indoctrinated by this bull.”
Golden will be charged with threat of serious bodily injury or death through a written communication and held on $100,000 bail when he arrives in Florida, Chitwood said.
Chitwood said last month his county is cracking down on antisemitic literature that has been distributed, including a projection on the grandstand of the Daytona International Speedway.
“You came to the wrong county,” Chitwood said during a news conference last month in directly addressing the hate group. “I stand with my Jewish friends, and I’m honored to be on your hit list. It’s an honor to be sought after by a bunch of punk thugs like you.”
[WATCH: ‘You came to the wrong county’: Fla. sheriff challenges hate group with a ‘come at me’ message]
South Brunswick police chief Raymond Hayducka said threats won’t be tolerated.
“The anonymous nature of the internet may make people feel they can say anything, but if you make threats or put people in fear we will use all our resources to track you down,” the chief said. “Yesterday showed that being 974 miles away from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office was no distance too great for the teamwork of law enforcement.”
Golden is being held at the Middlesex County jail awaiting extradition to Florida.
NEXT: Watch: Fla. sheriff interrupts radio interview to assist in high-speed pursuit
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