A man with ties to Warren County, Pa., has been charged after allegedly threatening a Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Layton Love, 46, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with interstate communication of a threat, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

According to the complaint, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office contacted the FBI regarding threatening text messages sent on May 18, 2026, to the cellular telephone number of a detective with the Sheriff’s Office.

“You and your family are going to die soon!” the text message stated, according to a report from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo. “I will personally do the job if necessary. Death to the weaponized government means death to the weaponized government literally, (Victim) you are living on borrowed time. The home you own on (REDACTED)… is a legitimate target and will be hit at a time and place of my choosing. Prepare to die, (Victim), and everyone you hold dear. Your terrorist regime will burn.”

Subsequent investigation identified Love as the user of the telephone number the threatening text messages were sent from. On May 21, a New York State arrest warrant was issued, charging Love with making a terroristic threat, and aggravated harassment. Love was located and arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police at his parents’ residence in Eldred, Pa.

Love made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. and was held pending a detention hearing on June 8.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler.

It’s the second time this year the U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted such a case in the region. In January, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Matthew White, 43, of Jamestown, with threatening to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer and interstate communication with threat to injure a person.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, on April 30, 2025, White threatened to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer employed by the Department of Homeland Security, with the intent of interfering in the officer’s performance of his duties. In addition, White posted threats on “X,” stating, “I can’t wait to put a bullet into this guy’s brain, but first his children.”

In May, a Lebanon, Pa., man was jailed after making threats toward several state Democratic Party lawmakers in leadership positions. The State Police at Jonestown have charged Adam G. Berryhill, 42, of Lebanon, Pa., with terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another after Berryhill allegedly posted a threat on his X account on April 7 and again April 22 threatening several legislative Democrats, including Ben Sanchez, Jordan Harris, Rick Krajewski, Malcolm Kenyatta, Danilo Burgos, Chris Rabb, Joe Hohenstein, Mary Isaacson, Emily Kinkead, Lindsey Williamsm, Steve Santarsiero, Amanda Cappelletti, Marie Collett, Sharif Street Judy Schwank, John Kane, Tim Briggs, Joanna McClinton, Morgan Cephas and Katie Muth. Berryhill’s X posts mention Memorial Day as a possible date for an “operation.”

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, the investigation began when a State Trooper who is part of the Dignitary Security Section was alerted to several concerning social media posts involving McClinton, to whom the trooper is assigned.

“Your affiant further declares that Berryhill’s posts demonstrate a pattern of behavior consistent with preparation fr violence, including dissemination of tactical guidance for engaging law enforcement, discussion of ambush-style tactics, and encouragement of armed conflict against government entities,” the affidavit states. “The cumulative nature of Berryhill’s communications – naming specific targets, expressing willingness to engage in lethal violence, referencing prior acts of political violence and outlining tactical methods demonstrates both intent and capability to carry out such threats, causing serious harm.”