BOSTON, August 24, 2015— Two Iowa men were ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing during their arraignment today on charges of gun possession after they allegedly made threats against a weekend game convention, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
KEVIN NORTON (D.O.B. 12/30/96) of Ames, Iowa, and JAMES STUMBO (D.O.B. 4/2/88) of Boone, Iowa, were arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful possession of a large capacity rifle.
At the request of Assistant District Attorney Joseph Janezic, Judge Lisa A. Grant ordered both men held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing under Chapter 276, Section 58A, of the Massachusetts General Laws, which allows a judge to hold a defendant accused of certain offenses without bail for up to 90 days pending trial upon “clear and convincing evidence that no conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of any other person or the community.” That hearing is scheduled to take place Sept. 1.
According to prosecutors, Boston Police were made aware of messages posted on social media that included references to weapons and threats to harm others attending the Pokemon World Championship that was held at the Hynes Convention Center. Prosecutors said that, in a Facebook chatroom conversation between several individuals, other individuals made reference to “Columbine pt 2,” “another Boston massacre,” and “Boston bombing.” In that conversation, Stumbo allegedly referred to his AR-15 rifle, stating, “MY AR-15 says you lose.” Stumbo also allegedly acknowledged posting that he was “on his way to Boston” and “Kevin Norton and I are ready for worlds Boston here we come!!!” as the caption below a picture of Norton’s car with the AR-15 and shotgun displayed on its trunk. Stumbo also allegedly acknowledged posting that he was, “on his way to Boston,” and, “Kevin Norton and I are ready for worlds Boston here we come!!!” as the caption below a picture of Norton’s car with the AR-15 and a shotgun displayed on its trunk.
Prosecutors said that Norton, when barred from accessing a chatroom that he was banned from for bullying another individual, allegedly stated, “Oh, ok, that’s fine then I will just shoot him on Friday thanks.”
At approximately 5:00 p.m. Thursday, officers at the location were informed that event security had stopped Stumbo as he attempted to enter the convention center. He was given a trespass order and removed from the convention center.
As officers escorted Stumbo outside, they encountered Norton attempting to enter the location. He was also given a trespass order barring him from the location. While speaking with officers, Norton allegedly made statements that the men had driven from Iowa in Norton’s 2002 Chevy Prizm with a shotgun and a rifle in the vehicle, prosecutors said.
Officers filed a field interrogation and observation report and released the men as the investigation continued.
Police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and discovered a 12-gauge Remington shotgun allegedly belonging to Norton, an AR-15 rifle belonging to Stumbo, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a hunting knife.
Both men were taken into custody at 11:20 a.m. Saturday at a Saugus motel by Boston Police with the assistance of members of the Saugus Police Department, FBI, and Homeland Security.
Norton and Stumbo are not currently facing charges in connection with threats each man allegedly made online; the investigation, however, is ongoing.
Norton was represented by attorney John O’Neil and Stumbo by Steve Goldwyn.
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
