A monthlong investigation into threatening communications led Modesto police to arrest a 73-year-old Ceres man and seize 81 firearms, including 15 weapons authorities said meet California’s legal definition of assault weapons.

Francis Joseph Haidar was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on 15 counts of possession of an assault weapon, the Modesto Police Department said.

The investigation began in July after police were contacted about threatening emails received by a local professional. Detectives determined the messages had been sent from a fictitious email account using the identity of a local attorney who was not involved in sending them.

Detectives with the department’s Violent Crimes Unit reviewed digital evidence and served multiple search warrants during the investigation, eventually identifying Haidar as the suspect, police said.

Investigators also identified additional online activity containing threatening and hostile statements directed toward members of the local legal and law enforcement communities. Police said the activity included broad threats toward attorneys, judges, prosecutors, and police officers.

After determining Haidar had numerous firearms registered to him, detectives obtained a Gun Violence Restraining Order and a search warrant for his Ceres residence.

Police served the search warrant and restraining order Monday and found 81 firearms, including 15 classified as assault weapons. Investigators also found two inert grenades and additional evidence related to the threatening communications investigation.

Got a Tip?

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Detective Trevethan at (209) 342-6122.

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