Minneapolis Man, 60, Threatened To Kill Hennepin County Workers: Feds

ST. PAUL, MN — A 60-year-old Minneapolis man was sentenced this week to federal prison after making violent threats against Hennepin County employees and illegally possessing guns, according to federal authorities.

On June 22, Peter R. Berry pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of interstate transmission of a threat.

Berry was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

On June 24, 2021, Berry called an employee from Hennepin County Community Corrections to ask about a criminal case he was involved in, authorities said.

However, during the call, he became angry, started yelling, and threatened to "shoot up the place," according to investigators.

On that same day, Berry left a voice message for a Hennepin County probation officer demanding a call back before he starts "killing everybody," authorities said.

A day later, Berry called a Hennepin County Service Center employee, according to investigators. During the call, Berry said he would "come down and kill everybody, all the judges, clerks, and deputies," according to investigators.

On June 29, 2021, Berry left a voice message for a Hennepin County public defender, said he was unhappy with his representation, said he knew where the defender lives, and threatened that people were going to die, authorities said.

Investigators also said that Berry unlawfully possessed three firearms, including a Beretta .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol, and a Diamondback DB15 rifle.

Berry has prior felony convictions and is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time, according to officials.