Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Arrested Gothamist Commenter Faces Up To 7 Years In Prison
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 23, 2012
Modified Feb 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 23, 2012
Modified Feb 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
NYPD detectives trying to track down the Gothamist commenter who called for a "well-placed round of 7.62 ammo to [Ray Kelly's] thick skull" didn't have to search too hard: they just went straight to Central Casting, where the alleged troll was found residing with his dear mother. Richard Strauss, 49, was arraigned yesterday after being arrested for making death threats against the NYPD Commissioner in this post. He had been found in his mother's East Flatbush home, presumably cloistered in a well-furnished basement under a pile of empty pizza boxes.
Strauss—who had also commented, "Come get me Kelly if you have the balls and I don't mean the ones you suck on"—faces up to seven years in prison for making a "terroristic" threat and harassment. Investigators executed a search warrant on his home and seized his computer. At press time, it was unclear if officials seized his collection of Xena: Warrior Princess DVDs. Strauss was released yesterday on $10,000 bail and an order of protection was issued, preventing him from getting near or contacting the police commissioner, the Daily News website reports.
At his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court, his attorney insisted, "He had no intent to make any harm. It was merely a post in a blog. Nothing more." Merely a post in a blog?! Does this ambulance chaser have any idea how much art and inspiration and soul goes into a well-crafted blog comment? Little masterpieces like "stupid hipsters lolz" don't write themselves! Worst attorney EVER. Clearly, Strauss needs to take a meeting with Lionel Hutz.
Tagged
comic book guy
death threats
gothamist comments
Ray Kelly
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A sixth person dies after falling ill in NYPD custody this year
The 54-year-old was hospitalized twice after his arrest Friday, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 4:44 p.m. ET
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
By
Emily Russell
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
By
Jill Webb
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .