Man gets 21 months in prison in Raleigh mayor threat case

Alec Dane Redner, 27, was arrested in January after he allegedly sent McFarlane a message through her website. According to police, Redner told her to “watch out” and that she would soon be “on the other end of the barrel” over comments she supposedly made about the Constitution.

Redner was indicted in March on a federal charge of communicating a threat against an individual, but he pleaded guilty in July to aiding and abetting obstruction of justice. The latter charge stemmed from his effort to get his mother to dispose of the computer used to send the message to McFarlane.

Defense attorney John Wiles tried to get the case dismissed, arguing that Redner’s message was a political statement and not a “true threat” of violence and that prosecuting him would violate his First Amendment rights. U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle rejected that argument in June.

McFarlane hasn't spoken publicly about the case, but in a February court hearing, a Wake County prosecutor said she was terrified for her safety and the safety of her family.

On Tuesday, Boyle denied Wiles' request that Redner be placed on probation to undergo counseling and receive no prison time.

Federal prosecutors argued that Redner needs to receive counseling in prison, noting that he has previously assaulted a law enforcement officer and doesn't like authority. Boyle agreed that a probationary sentence wasn't proper, saying he feared that Redner could be "a ticking time bomb.

Redner was ordered to undergo counseling for anger management and psychosis disorder while in prison. After he's released, he might have to receive additional counseling during his three years on supervised release.