Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette –
An Export man was charged today with threatening a postal inspector with death and rape as well as with possession of child pornography.
Todd Markley, 48, could face 10 years in prison on both charges. He was ordered temporarily detained today pending a hearing Wednesday on whether he should be held until trial.
Mr. Markley issued the threat in late May after being caught in possession of child pornography on April 12, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar said.
The threat was issued in a graphic email, she said. It was not read in court and was not immediately available.
Mr. Markley’s attorney, Richard Joyce, said that the threat was sent “literally moments before [Mr. Markley] took a bunch of pills in an attempt take his own life.”
He said that Mr. Markley was hospitalized in March, had “an implant placed into his brain” to treat a facial nerve condition and suffered an infection that requires continued antibiotics.
“He has been under psychiatric treatment for years,” Mr. Joyce said.
After Mr. Markley’s court appearance, he declined to elaborate on whether the medical problems may have spurred the threat.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan denied Mr. Joyce’s request to have Mr. Markley detained at his father’s home, saying he can get treatment in the Butler County Prison, where he is being held.
