Woman Arrested on Felony Terroristic Threat Charge in Georgia After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Apartment Complex Employees

Izola Russaw has been evicted from her apartment as well as charged with felony terroristic threats after a heated situation that occurred between her and apartment managers Avana North Apartments in North Fulton County. 

Russaw allegedly threatened to kill the property managers when she lost water service. According to reports, she told the managers that she would come down to the office and shoot them all with her gun after the complex had a water main break. 

This leads me to today's post as a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer. I will focus on the offense of terroristic threats and explain the law behind it.

Terroristic Threats in Georgia

Terroristic Threats in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code as:

When a person threatens to commit any crime of violence, to release any hazardous substance, or to burn or damage any property with the purpose of terrorizing another or of causing the evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation or otherwise causing serious public inconvenience or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. O.C.G.A. §16-11-37.

A Terroristic Threats offense can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony. The majority of the time, the dividing line between the felony and misdemeanor charge is if the threat suggests the death of the victim. 

If a misdemeanor terroristic threats charge, then the consequences are up to one year in jail, up to $1,000 fines, or both. 

If a felony terroristic threats charge, then the consequences are between one to five years in prison, a fine up to $1,000, or both. 

The penalties will be even further heightened if the threat is made with the intent to retaliate or threaten any person attending a judicial or administrative proceeding, law enforcement officer, community supervision officer, probation officer, prosecuting attorney or judge relating to the commission of an offense.

Practice Note

There are Georgia Criminal Defenses that may apply to an accusation of terroristic threats in Georgia. This is why it is important to contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney if you or a loved one has been arrested. The worst mistake anyone can make is automatically assume that they are doomed to a conviction if they have been arrested. Contact our offices today so that we can investigate your case and defend your freedom.