Putnam Man Arrested for 'Terroristic Threat' to Kiryas Joel

KIRYAS JOEL, NY — A Putnam County man is in jail after being arrested Friday for making a terroristic threat in Kiryas Joel.

State Police said Francis Zebzda, 30, of Garrison, was charged with making a terroristic threat, a felony, unlawful wearing of body vest, a felony, resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, a misdemeanor, unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and disorderly conduct, a violation.

Police said they received a phone call from the Village of Kiryas Joel Public Safety Office that a man was in the community wearing a black tactical vest and was taking photos of the schools, the Public Safety Building and the shopping mall.

Zebzda was found by Troopers while he was wearing a black tactical vest containing body armor.

Police said he also had in his possession a folding pocket knife and a small amount of pot.

As he was being placed under arrest, police said Zebzda began to scream racial and ethnic obscenities.

He was arraigned in the Town of Monroe Court and sent to Orange Count Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail or $350,000 bond.

News 12 said Zebzda denied in court being a terrorist and that he was wearing the body armor because the Constitution allows it.

For more details about social media posts Zebzda had written, go to News 12 by clicking here.

Photo caption: Francis Zebzda. Photo credit: NYSP.