Michael Joseph Egan

MENOMINEE — A Florida man has been charged with threatening to shoot people at the Menominee County Courthouse — including Menominee County Prosecutor Jeffrey T. Rogg.

Michael Joseph Egan, 53, of Gainesville, Florida, has been charged with false report or threat of terrorism. The charge is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

According to court documents, on Sept. 5 a concerned citizen reported to the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office that a man later identified as Egan aggressively approached them in a parking lot and stated the “county stole my wife, family and van” and that he was there to “f—–g shoot everyone.” Egan then stated he was “going to shoot Jeff Rogg in between the eyes.”

The citizen said when Egan made the statement, he made a gesture with his finger imitating a pistol and put his hand four inches from the citizen’s face.

A Menominee County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned to courthouse security reported that Egan fled the parking lot in a pickup truck. Egan was eventually located and arrested by the Marinette Police Department in the nearby Wisconsin city.

“This is a serious charge based on serious threats. Anyone who threatens or tries to intimidate government officials or public bodies will be held accountable,” said Rogg. “My office will continue to respond aggressively to these types of threats whenever they occur.”

Rogg emphasized the incident is believed to be an isolated occurrence and there is no danger to the public at this time.

Egan is being held at the Marinette County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Michigan. Rogg has also filed a motion to revoke the $5,000 cash/surety bond in district court that Egan is presently subject to for a July 26 arrest for fleeing and eluding and reckless driving.

Attorney Derek Swajanen of Marquette is representing Egan in the case.

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 548. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.