Telford Borough Police. Photo by James Short.
The defendant even threatened to harm the victim in front of police, according to reports.
A Telford man is facing misdemeanor charges of stalking, terroristic threats and harassment for allegedly harassing and threatening people via social media and texts in May.
Telford Police said Joseph Michae Dickinson, 55, of the 400 block of South Washington Avenue, is facing a stalking count for repeatedly communicating to another person to cause fear and a terroristic threats charge for intending to terrorize another person, per court records. Dickinson also has two counts of misdemeanor harassment via communicating through lewd or threatening language, and summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct, per court records.
On May 14, 2024, a victim reported to police a situation regarding Dickinson harassing and threatening them and others via Facebook and text, police said.
Police found public posts on Dickinson’s public Facebook on April 12, 2023, ranting about a particular situation, police said. There were numerous posts mentioning the victim by name and stating things like, “You didn’t work for a single penny, it shouldn’t be so bad when I take it” and “No telling how much that happiness will end up costing you,” per the complaint.
Police found alleged threatening posts referencing payments of $50,000 and taking the victim’s "seat" at the proverbial table, per the affidavit.
Police said they observed numerous messages between Dickinson, the victim, and the victim’s parent that were threatening in nature, including one that stated Dickinson was putting “a crew together and bring two tractor trailers down there and take everything (they own) and leave them all tied up in a horse stall full of flies and s---” and hoping the victim “gets a brain tumor and dies a horrible death and he hopes his mother dies and he will laugh as he sends flowers.”
The victim told police the messages are almost non-stop, even though Dickinson was asked to stop and was blocked on social media, police said. Meanwhile, Dickinson, police said, moved on to posting and messaging about other relatives of the victim.
“You’ve created a very vengeful enemy in me, remember to always look over your shoulder, you never know it might be that day our paths cross,” messaged Dickinson to the victim, police said.
On July 9, police spoke with Dickinson at his home and told him to cease all communications with the victim and their family or face additional charges, police said.
Dickinson told police that he was going to put the victim in the ICU and told them to “put this on record because that is what will happen,” police said. Dickinson, police allege, also admitted to sending numerous texts and messages to the victim.
After leaving Dickinson’s home, police were notified of more threatening posts from Dickinson on Facebook, including how he will kill the victim and that “plans are in motion,” police allege in the complaint.
On the morning of July 10, police allege Dickinson texted the group of people more threatening words, and even sent a picture of the victim’s warehouse entryway from a website. The victim and his daughter are distraught that Dickinson will show up unhinged to their work, police said.
No bail or arraignment information was listed in Dickinson’s criminal docket.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13 at 2:45 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
