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Michigan Man Banned From Social Media After Posts Urging Killing Of Police

SAGINAW, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A Michigan man who authorities say made online threats about killing police officers and judges has been banned from using social media for five years.

The Saginaw News reports the punishment was part of a sentence handed down Monday for 33-year-old Billy R. Thompson of Saginaw County's Bridgeport Township that included five years of probation and wearing a GPS tether for six months.

Thompson was originally charged with using a computer to solicit murder and was released on bond after a mental evaluation that found he "did not pose any immediate risk to himself or others."

In October, he pleaded guilty to attempted use of a computer to commit a crime.

Prosecutors say Thompson posted threats on Facebook following the killings of black men by police in other states over the summer.

The two messages, posted early on July 7, read:

"I can't get help from the police because they are hunting me. I can't go to a judge because they always stand behind the cop. I think it's time to strap up and make a police defense plan. I'd rather kill then [sic] be killed. And if nobody is going to do anything about these cops ... then Imma [sic] make sure my sons and daughters have a few less cops and judges in the world to worry about!"

"Let's get these cops. It's hunting on all you pigs in the injustice system. Let's murder them like they murder us. It's long past time for revolutionary action. Everyone strap up! OLD AND YOUNG. Shoot first and (expletive) the questions."

The posts were made days after police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, killed two black men in separate incidents that made headlines across the nation.

An attorney for Thompson, James Gust, has said Thompson "kind of got worked up" but wasn't trying to harm anyone. "He said some things he shouldn't have said, probably," Gust added.

Saginaw County Prosecutor John McColgan has said his office will "take all threats seriously."

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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