Date set for trial of Boardman man accused of threatening to shoot federal agents

A trial date has been set for the Boardman man accused of making threatening comments about shooting up a gay bar, Planned Parenthood, and federal agents. 

Eighteen-year-old Justin Olsen is scheduled to face a jury on October 31. 

The final pre-trial date is set in the U.S. Northern District of Ohio Federal Court for October 16 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr.

In August, Olsen was indicted on one count of threatening to assault and abet others to assault federal law enforcement officers engaged in the performance of official duties and making interstate threats. 

The first count carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison while the interstate threats charges carry a statutory max of five years.

Olsen, on June 2, threatened to shoot every federal law agent on sight, according to the indictment. 

The final pre-trial dates were set after Olsen's attorney argued that the Boardman man should be released because he represents no threat to the community. 

Olsen's posts included references to shootings and bombings at Planned Parenthood and a gay bar, but his attorneys argue those posts did not include any actual threats or indicate any plans to commit acts of violence. 

They go on to argue that the  post that concluded with the phrase "shoot every federal agent on-site," did not specify any particular officer or office and was meant to be "hyperbolic." 

Attorneys go on to cite Olsen's exemplary history, participating in several school activities, maintaining a 3.8 GPA and never facing any disciplinary action in school.