COLUMBUS, OH – A New Albany man is facing serious federal charges after allegedly sending dozens of violent threats — some laced with white powder and even a bullet — to public officials, media, and law enforcement across Ohio and beyond.
Ronald Lidderdale, 39, was formally charged in federal court in Columbus on Friday, May 9, with a list of crimes including making interstate threats, mailing threatening communications, cyberstalking, and conveying false information and hoaxes.
According to court documents, Lidderdale sent at least 65 threatening letters and emails to 34 individuals, including statewide elected officials, federal representatives, political figures, and a local television station. Many of the letters contained suspicious white powder — which he at times claimed was Ricin — and one letter included a 9mm bullet engraved with a recipient’s last name.
Between July and early August 2024 alone, Lidderdale allegedly mailed a dozen such letters using return addresses tied to individuals affiliated with his targets. Authorities say his communications included explicit threats of violence, with messages like:
“I will kill you for your ignorant loyalty to your pedophilic party” and
“Your death will come when you least expect it.”
In one recent incident, he reportedly sent letters to eight people with a “hit list” naming others he planned to kill during May.
Federal investigators say Lidderdale admitted to sending the materials with the intent to incite fear and influence the actions of public officials.
The case is being handled by the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Capitol Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and multiple local agencies. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the Justice Department’s National Security Division are leading the prosecution.
If convicted, Lidderdale faces up to 10 years in prison for mailing threatening communications and up to five years each for the remaining charges.
Authorities remind the public that a criminal complaint contains only allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
