Watertown man accused of death threats against city police

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - “All of you are gonna get shot the f**k up...Your whole precinct, your whole station, boom.”

Those are just some of the things a 33-year-old Watertown man is accused of saying about members of the city police department.

Jesse Balk of 823 Mill Street is now charged with making a terroristic threat and aggravated harassment.

According to Watertown police, Balk was arrested following a traffic stop on March 8.

While an officer drove Balk to the Metro Jefferson Public Safety Building, Balk allegedly made several threats of mass harm to Watertown police officers. Police said the threats were recorded by camera in the patrol car.

“All of you are gonna get shot the f**k up,” he allegedly said. “Your whole precinct, your whole station, boom.”

He allegedly continued, “January 16, 2004, 26 cops got shot in Texas. That ain’t nothin' to what Watertown is gonna experience.”

The next day, Balk allegedly made threats on social media.

In one video posted on Facebook, Balk allegedly says, “This message goes out to the police department of Watertown, NY. If I ever, and I mean ever, get pulled over, thrown on the floor for zero reason again, made to walk home 3 miles in this weather again, your entire department, and anyone in it, dead. I’m not f**kin around no more. You know where I live. I’ll be waiting at my residence, happily waiting at my residence, you f**king pigs. Come and get me.”

After the video, police allege Balk posted additional threats, including one against the family of the police officer involved in his arrest.

“Also whatever pig pulled me into the jeep by my neck is gonna lose his family simple as that,” he allegedly wrote.

In another post, Balk allegedly posted, “Extort this pigs,” with a photo of what appears to be a handgun in the door of a refrigerator. (The article continues below the photo.)

Balk allegedly wrote, "Extort this pigs," with a photo of what appears to be a handgun in the... — Balk allegedly wrote, "Extort this pigs," with a photo of what appears to be a handgun in the door of a refrigerator.(WWNY)

According to police, Balk does not hold a valid pistol permit.

In another post, he allegedly posted a link to a video titled “We Will F**king Kill You” with the comment, “You got my court date I got your addresses. Lets play.”

Police arrested him at his home on Wednesday.

He was arraigned and ordered held in the county jail on $5,000 bail.