COLUMBUS — A California man accused of threatening a shooting at Ohio State and vowing to hurt players on the football team has pleaded guilty.
The government says defendant Daniel Rippy made the Facebook threats from California during the annual game between the Buckeyes and Michigan in 2018, which was played in Columbus.
Rippy pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of a threat in interstate communications.
He faces up to five years in prison.
His attorney says Rippy understands and accepts the terms of the plea agreement.
According to court documents, Rippy sent a Facebook stating that the university was going to get shot up and “I’m seriously going to hurt the students and all the players from the football team.”
He sent several other threats to injure or kill players, their family members and the head coach.
Law enforcement officials at Ohio Stadium were placed on high alert and investigated the threat before they ultimately determined that Rippy was in California and did not pose an immediate danger.
FBI agents arrested Rippy in California in December 2019 and he was released on bond but was re-arrested and U.S. Marshals transported him to Columbus after he failed to appear for a scheduled appointment with the court.