Arrest made in racist threats directed at Howard University

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A northern Virginia man has been charged with making racist threats directed at historically black Howard University in 2015.

Twenty-six-year-old John Edgar Rust of Alexandria was charged in federal court Wednesday with transmitting threats over the internet.

According to an FBI affidavit, Rust posted his threat to a chat board in November 2015. He concluded by saying “After all, it’s not murder if they’re black.”

The affidavit states investigators traced the threat to a Panera restaurant in Alexandria. Agents determined Rust’s computer was connected to the restaurant’s Wi-Fi network. The affidavit shows investigators quickly honed in on Rust, but the investigation required detailed computer forensics to bring charges.

Rust is scheduled to make an initial appearance Thursday. Court records do not list an attorney.