A man has been charged following an investigation into alleged death threats towards a serving police officer in the Hunter Valley.
On Tuesday 26 August 2025, police were notified of the comments allegedly posted to a social media platform by a man.
The comments allegedly included threats to kill a serving police officer specially mentioned in the comments by name.
Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District and the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Terrorism Investigations Squad commenced inquiries.
Shortly after 6am on Tuesday 2 September 2025, police stopped two vehicles in Merriwa and spoke to the drivers, men aged 32 and 52.
The older man was released; however, the younger man was arrested at the scene and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
During a search of the man, police allegedly located and seized 4.6g of cannabis.
Further inquiries revealed that the man's drivers licence had expired in February 2025.
Police will further allege that the man sent a threatening message to a woman known to him.
The 32-year-old man was subsequently charged with nine offences,
- Use carriage service to threaten to kill (two counts)
- Send etc document threatening death or grievous bodily harm (two counts)
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
- Fail to comply digital evidence access order direction
- Drive while licence cancelled
- Possess prohibited drug, and
- Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm.
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division 2 Court on Wednesday 3 September 2025, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Scone Local Court on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
A short time later, detectives – assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad – attended a home on Macartney Street, Merriwa, to execute a search warrant.
During the search of the home, police allegedly located and seized mobile and electronic devices, cannabis plants, a gel blaster firearm, and military ordinances.
Following extensive inquiries, police arrested the 52-year-old man arrested in Denman about 9am on Wednesday 3 September 2025.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with three offences,
- Cultivate prohibited plant (less than or equal to small quantity)
- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and
- Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm.
He was issued a court attendance notice to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
Inquiries are ongoing.
