Too often people share everything that they are thinking on social media. In the case of this former Black US marine in New Jersey, it could lead to some serious time in federal prison.
On Friday, 23-year-old Joshua Cobb was arrested and charged with one count of transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
Specifically, Cobb was arrested for threatening to kill “all” white people on social media and openly discussing his hopes of eventually becoming a serial killer.
A December 2022 post read:
I want to cause mayhem on the white community. The reason i specifically want to target white people is because as a black male, they will NEVER understand my struggles. Same way I will never understand their struggles, but I don’t care to. I want to erase them. All of them really, but in this case as many as I possibly can. As of today I have officially began planning my attack. It is going to take place in 2023 in the state of New Jersey, I have not chosen a exact date but I am going to be sure it is close to an important holiday to their race. I have a location in mind already which I have frequented for the past year and I am certain nobody there is armed to be able to stop me from spraying them to the ground. I have already acquired 2 of the 4 firearms I plan to use for my attack, and I also know my entry and exit points already after the mayhem.
Nearly six months later, in the spring of 2023, police said Cobb continued his suspicious behavior on social media, claiming that he wants to “progress into a serial killer” and openly discussing the rush he would feel if he started “shooting some s**t up, according to the United States Attorney’s office.
In one post, he wrote, “Imagine the rush you’d feel while shooting some sh*t up. Probably could get literally high off the adrenaline alone. I’d probably OD on my own adrenaline after the 10th body goes down.”
He also added, “100% someday. Just not yet though. I want to continue training and buying more ammunition.”
In another one, he stated, “Tbh I hope I do progress into a serial killer because I f*cking hate life man... But one day everyone will suffer. I promise I will make everyone feel my f*ucking pain. My deep, sincere, raw, & sharp pain.”
If police are correct, he made these posts just months before he was set to begin basic training in June 2023. But due to his recent arrest and charges, Cobb has been discharged, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
When speaking with law enforcement, Cobb admitted to writing every single threatening social media post that was found and even shared places that he considered as potential targets for a mass shooting.