Mar 25, 2020, 16:56 pm
People who intentionally spread the coronavirus could face charges under federal terrorism laws, according to a Department of Justice memo.
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen sent the memo to DOJ leaders, U.S. attorneys, and law enforcement agency chiefs on Tuesday, warning that investigators could find instances of “purposeful exposure and infection of others with COVID-19.”
Politico obtained the memo and reported that it’s unclear if such instances have been yet found by investigators, but a New Jersey man was charged with making terroristic threats after he coughed on a grocery store employee and claimed to have the coronavirus. The Justice Department also noted it established a task force to investigate the price gouging of supplies needed during the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump signed an executive order to prevent price gouging and the hoarding of medical supplies on Monday.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/...orism-laws
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen sent the memo to DOJ leaders, U.S. attorneys, and law enforcement agency chiefs on Tuesday, warning that investigators could find instances of “purposeful exposure and infection of others with COVID-19.”
Quote:“Because Coronavirus appears to meet the statutory definition of a ‘biological agent’ … such acts potentially could implicate the Nation’s terrorism-related statutes,” Rosen wrote. “Threats or attempts to use COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans will not be tolerated.”
Politico obtained the memo and reported that it’s unclear if such instances have been yet found by investigators, but a New Jersey man was charged with making terroristic threats after he coughed on a grocery store employee and claimed to have the coronavirus. The Justice Department also noted it established a task force to investigate the price gouging of supplies needed during the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump signed an executive order to prevent price gouging and the hoarding of medical supplies on Monday.
Quote:“Once specific materials are so designated, persons are prohibited from accumulating those items in excess of reasonable personal or business needs or for the purpose of selling them in excess of prevailing market prices,” Attorney General William Barr said, following the executive order.
“It is a crime to engage in prohibited activity,” he said.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/...orism-laws