Cops: Dad, Waitress Made Threats That Nixed Mt. Pleasant Youth League
MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa. (AP/KDKA) - Police say a player's father - and a waitress who worked with him - were behind shotgun shells and threatening letters that prompted a Pennsylvania youth football league to cancel its season.
The shells, with the names of league officials and referees written on them, were found in October at the gate of the field used by the Mount Pleasant Area Junior Football League. Its players are 6 to 12 years old.
Police say 51-year-old Joseph Loughner, of Greensburg, and 34-year-old Kimberly Ross, of Connellsville, are responsible. Police say she also wrote threatening letters to referees at Loughner's urging - on the back of restaurant placemats.
Loughner had plenty to say to cameras on Friday.
"I wrote a threatening letter, I take full responsibility for that," said Joseph Vincent Loughner. "I back up everything on that letter."
State Police say they do not take the letters lightly.
"These letters are very detailed about the threats and acts of violence," said Trooper Stephen Limani.
The first threat letter was an envelope with a joker playing card showing a sinking ship on other side. It also included a red tip wooden match stick.
The second letter read "now this is a threat, if one more kid gets hurt I will kill you" and "take it any way you want and to the cops."
But Loughner is not owning up to all accusations.
Ross Guidotti: You ruined the season for the kids.
Joseph Loughner: I didn't throw no bullets, that's what ruined the season, get it straight.
As for Ross's involvement, police have an explanation.
"Mr. Loughner didn't want them to be in his handwriting, so to throw people off, he used her handwriting and dictated the letters to her," Trooper Stephen Limani said.
Online court records don't list attorneys for the defendants, who were in custody and being arraigned on charges of conspiracy, terroristic threats and harassment.
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