Crete man charged with threatening to shoot Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker

A Crete man has been charged in Will County court with threatening to shoot Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker in the face.

A felony charge of threatening a public official was filed Wednesday against Michael Dascenzo, 49, after an investigation by Illinois State Police.

A criminal complaint alleged that Dascenzo “knowingly delivered or conveyed” to Pritzker a “threat of having the said victim shot in the face.”

Dascenzo was taken to the Will County jail about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday. He remained in jail as of Wednesday.

Prosecutors have filed a petition to deny Dascenzo’s release from jail. A judge has not yet ruled on the petition.

The threatening message was allegedly submitted online on Jan. 9 through the “Voice an Opinion” web page on Pritzker’s state website, according to the petition from prosecutors.

The message allegedly made a negative comment about Pritzker’s physical appearance and accused him of being a stalker.

Prosecutors said the message said, “Leave the state of Illinois before I have you shot in the [expletive] face. I’m on my way to Springfield; you left. One one thousand…”

In Dascenzo’s interview with Illinois State Police, he claimed nothing was done about a complaint he made against a neighbor who threatened him and was an associate of Pritzker, prosecutors said.

“He said he didn’t mean any harm and was upset about the previous complaint. Dascenzo further explained when he receives an online threat, he voices his opinion by letting people know he is willing to defend himself,” prosecutors said.

Dascenzo allegedly told Illinois State Police that he “should have used less explicit material,” prosecutors said.

“[Dascenzo] also said he had no intention to harm the governor and he believed he was defending himself against the alleged threats/stalking,” prosecutors said.

Dascenzo denied possessing firearms or having a history of mental illness, prosecutors said.