Bond set for man accused of threatening mayor

6/12/2004

A Toledo man who in a handwritten letter allegedly asked the FBI if it would be legal if he shot Mayor Jack Ford between the eyes with a high-powered rifle from 50 feet away was being held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.

David Pasztor, 46, of 1717 Berkshire Pl., who is unemployed, was arraigned yesterday in Toledo Municipal Court on an intimidation charge. He was ordered to have no contact with the mayor. He declined an interview. Mayor Ford declined comment, his spokesman, Mary Chris Skeldon, said.

Police searched Mr. Pasztor's home and seized a computer. No firearms were found.

In the letter to the FBI, Mr. Pasztor asked if he could shoot the mayor for "all the federal crimes he has committed," according to court records.

The records indicate Mr. Pasztor also sent a letter to President Bush advising him that if he refused to take action against the mayor, "there would be a guarantee that blood would be shed by a group of people that were willing and able to protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America."

Mr. Pasztor, in his letter to Mr. Bush, reminded the President that in the absence of organized law enforcement, vigilantism was legal, according to the records.

The married father of two was arrested at his home Thursday after the FBI and Secret Service brought the letters to the attention of police. Mr. Pasztor admitted sending the letters, which he signed, but declined to answer investigators' questions, police Chief Mike Navarre said.

The chief said the letter to Mr. Bush referred to the mayor and unnamed city councilmen and unnamed federal crimes they allegedly committed. No threats were made against them.

Chief Navarre said the city has asked for a mental assessment of Mr. Pasztor; the Secret Service is assessing any threat level. He said Mr. Pasztor was dismissed from a previous job, where he allegedly threatened a co-worker.

The chief said Mr. Pasztor has two pending cases: domestic violence against his wife and resisting arrest stemming from the domestic violence charge. He said Mr. Pasztor was in violation of a temporary protection order because he was living with his wife. He has a prior misdemeanor and traffic convictions.