Facebook posting can lead to big trouble with the
law. And despite all the publicity surrounding the
issue, there are real-world examples every day.
On Friday, a Pittsburgh businessman was held
hostage by a guy with a knife who made posts on
Facebook during the five-hour ordeal. While you'd
think focusing on his hostage and negotiations with
police would have been paramount, instead the 22-
year-old used a computer to post to Facebook
comments such as “i cant take it no more im done
bro,” and “this life im livin rite now i dnt want
anymore,” reports The Associated Press .
Police monitored the kidnapper's Facebook page but
later asked Facebook to shut it down so the man, a
guy named Klein Michael Thaxton, could focus on
talks with police.
Before Facebook complied, 700 comments from the
man's family and friends showed up in response to
his posts. While most were benign, apparently some
encouraged Thaxton to behave violently.
Police Chief Nathan Harper said any Facebook users
who urged Thaxton to harm his victim or himself
could face charges, too, although one has to wonder
what kinds of charges those might be.
After Facebook shut down
Thaxton’s Facebook page, police
arranged to have him speak on the
phone with an ex-girlfriend who
apparently convinced him to
surrender peacefully. This morning Thaxton was
charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault and
making terroristic threats. His bail is set at $1
million.
Idiotic people who use Facebook while committing
crimes are rather common, actually.
As the AP points out, last month a woman who posed
as a nurse and kidnapped a newborn at a Pittsburgh
hospital was tracked down thanks to posts she made
on Facebook regarding a faked pregnancy.
Want more? Check out Another Crook Caught
Because of Posting on Facebook , a story that
highlights several malefactors who tripped
themselves up by stupidly posting on the social
network.