Details Emerge of Nanuet Terror Suspect’s Threats And Beliefs (VIDEO)

Clarkstown Police began their investigation of Lawrence Mulqueen after his Nanuet landlord complained of harassing actions toward her as she tried to evict him for non-payment of rent. Further questioning revealed Mulqueen’s Facebook threats against state and federal government officials and a search warrant led to the discovery of illegal weapons. 

“During the course of the investigation we notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secret Service in that he was threatening standing members of the federal government,” said Sgt. Glen Cummings, who noted an FBI agent from White Plains joined the investigation. 

Cummings said Mulqueen’s Facebook threats targeted Gov. Andrew Cuomo, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Congresswomen Nita Lowey and Nancy Pelosi.

“He also expressed desire to the effect that people who support President Obama are traitors to the country and should die as well,” said Cummings.

According to Cummings, Mulqueen apparently considered himself a follower of the Sovereign Citizens Movement, which objects to government authority and more recently to the enactment of gun control laws in New York.  

The FBI considers the Sovereign Citizens Movement as an extreme movement and domestic terrorism. It describes the movement on its website. 

“Sovereign citizens are anti-government extremists who believe that even though they physically reside in this country, they are separate or “sovereign” from the United States. As a result, they believe they don’t have to answer to any government authority, including courts, taxing entities, motor vehicle departments, or law enforcement.”

Cummings said Mulqueen had earlier felony convictions including felony DWI with recent arrests having occurred in Rockland County and prior ones elsewhere. Police said his prior convictions made it illegal for Mulqueen to own firearms and the metal knuckle knife that was found in his residence is illegal in New York State.  

Cummings said the landlord’s complaint was made about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and that evening Mulqueen was arrested on third and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, making terroristic threats and harassment charges.  Mulqueen was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court Thursday morning without bail pending a court hearing on Monday, Feb. 25. He was sent to the Rockland County Jail.