Federal Jury Convicts Louisiana Stockbroker

Federal Jury Convicts Louisiana Stockbroker For Internet Threats
U.S. Department of Justice

Shreveport, LA

September 10, 2008

Donald W. Washington, United States Attorney

Western District of Louisiana

Threats Were Made to Canadian Government Official

A federal jury returned a guilty verdict against a Shreveport stockbroker for sending threatening communications over the internet to an official of the Canadian government, United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced today. LLOYD DEWITT TILLER, JR., 61, of Shreveport, is convicted of two counts of sending a threatening interstate communication.

Tiller sent the threatening communications to James M. Flaherty, both a Member of Parliament and the Canadian Minister of Finance. The first threat was sent on November 13, 2006, and threatened to injure Mr. Flaherty; the second threat was sent on January 18, 2007, and threatened to injure both Mr. Flaherty and members of his family.

Tiller faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count. The court scheduled a hearing for tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to determine whether Tiller should be detained pending sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.

United States Attorney Donald W. Washington stated: “Death threats directed to public officials and their families are not protected speech. They are against the law. The abuse of the internet for this purpose will be seriously dealt with by our office.”

This case was investigated by the United States Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and the Shreveport Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert W. Gillespie, Jr.,and Robin S. McCoy.

ENDS