A Lawrence, Massachusetts man who reportedly made threats against President Barack Obama was ordered held without bail following his arraignment on gun charges on Friday.
Stephen M. Perroti, 28, of 118 Byron Avenue, Lawrence, was arraigned in Lawrence District Court on nine firearms charges in connection with a U.S. Secret Service investigation into alleged threats against the president.
Judge Lynn Rooney granted Essex Assistant District Attorney Anna Zalewski’s request that the defendant be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Aug. 8.
Perroti is charged with five counts of possession of a large capacity firearm or feeding device, improper storage of a large capacity firearm, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card and possession of an assault weapon. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.
Zalewski told the court that the U.S. Secret Service contacted the Lawrence Police Department regarding the alleged threats made against the president. Secret Service agents and Lawrence Police officers went to Perroti’s residence Thursday and obtained his consent to search the premises. They found an AR-15 assault rifle, 3 scopes and 4 high-capacity magazines and ammunition.
Perroti was then taken into custody.
