Detroit man charged after threatening Mayor Mary Sheffield at Municipal Center and police headquarters
A Detroit man is charged with making a false report or threat of terrorism after two incidents targeting Mayor Mary Sheffield on Oct. 5. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said her office has a zero-tolerance policy for threats against public officials, and Sterling Anthony Peters was placed on house arrest with a $50,000 bond.
A Detroit man was charged Thursday with making a false report or threat of terrorism after threatening Mayor Mary Sheffield twice on Oct. 5 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center and Detroit Police Headquarters.
Prosecutors said Sterling Anthony Peters first entered the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center downtown and tried to reach Mayor Sheffield’s office. When officers attempted to remove him, he threatened to “shoot up” the building.
Later the same day, Peters entered Detroit Police Headquarters. Officers escorted him out, and prosecutors said he then made another threat to hurt Mayor Sheffield directly.
Peters was arraigned Thursday on one count of making a false report or threat of terrorism. He received a $50,000 bond and is on house arrest.
In court, Peters’ attorneys said he may be dealing with a mental health crisis after a recent death in his family.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said her office has a zero-tolerance policy for threats against public officials.
“We will absolutely not tolerate threats to elected officials including our judges,” Worthy said in a statement. “These threats are on the rise and are extremely concerning. We will prove the charge in this case in court beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The case is in pretrial proceedings in Wayne County. Peters remains under court supervision while awaiting the next hearing.
