A Milwaukee woman was given probation for making threats on social media that she hoped would somehow earn her money in the wake of a police officer’s death in the line of duty.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carolina Stark on Monday also ordered Mary Jane Hinton to undergo a mental health evaluation, complete 15 hours of community service and to stay off Facebook during her probation.
Prosecutors alleged the post by Hinton, 21, had the potential to generate widespread panic from those scouring Facebook in the hours after Milwaukee police Officer Peter Jerving was fatally shot while trying to arrest a robbery suspect.
Hinton pleaded guilty in July to making terrorist threats, a Class I felony.
Stark sentenced Hinton to serve seven months in the Community Reintegration Center, but stayed the confinement term and placed her on probation for 18 months. Hinton faced up to 1½ years behind bars and two years of extended supervision upon release.
A memorial event to honor Jerving was scheduled that day.