U.S. citizen charged with death threats targeting Justin Trudeau makes court appearance from London, Ont.
A U.S. citizen charged with threatening death or bodily harm to Justin Trudeau made a virtual court appearance from a London jail Friday.
Jeremy Joseph, 40 — who is living in Sarnia, Ont. — was arrested on Feb. 4, 2023 after Sarnia police were notified of emails containing threats.
He’s charged with uttering threats to cause death related to the prime minister of Canada, citizens of Sarnia, and one count of uttering threats to damage of property (City of Sarnia).
Joseph — representing himself — told the court he worked on Wall Street in New York City, and studied business at Stanford University as well as bioengineering in Seattle and in Houston at Rice University.
The Houston native described himself as a “refugee in Canada” and said he “fled the United States for fear of my life and persecution.”
Jeremy Joseph faces multiple charges including uttering threats to cause death related to the prime minister of Canada. (Source: LinkedIn) He's been living in Sarnia for nearly six months after entering the country in Windsor.
He also faces charges in multiple states south of the border.
Appearing via video in a Sarnia court, Joseph told Justice Kelly Tranquilli that allegations by the attorney general through the U.S. are “riddled with incorrect information.”
“As I go through this extradition process, I think my major concerns are I just don't have a lot of visibility of exactly what's going on,” said Joseph, referring to being in EMDC [Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre]. “I'm learning about new charges in New York when I've been in Canada for the last seven months.”
He also made claims that his bail hearing earlier this month felt like there was collusion between the U.S. and the attorney general.
“I had major concerns because it felt like a script that was being provided directly from the United States,” said Joseph.
He expressed difficulties as a self-represented litigant from inside EMDC claiming he feels like he is operating in a vacuum.
Jeremy Joseph appeared virtually in a Sarnia, Ont. courtroom on March 31, 2023. (File)"I think the concern here is I've asked for duty counsel,” said Joseph.
He added, “I've reached out to the social worker to get into direct contact with the attorney general and have not heard anything back from that. I've asked for legal documentation, rules of evidence, civil court and procedure, the Refugee and Immigration Act, motion templates, even Canadian case law, and I've not yet gotten access to any of those things.”
He's admits to battling mental health challenges after he said his mother was murdered and his identity was stolen by his cousin.
He claims his estate of over $400,000 has been wiped out after “being taken advantage of by lawyers.”
The extradition documents have not yet come in, so this case has been adjourned to April 20.
Kandia Aird, counsel representing the attorney general, has agreed to get Joseph all necessary documents via courier as soon as they receive record of the case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WATCH LIVE | Johnston calls allegations of bias 'quite simply false' as MPs question him on foreign interference role
Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference David Johnston calls the allegations swirling around his objectivity 'quite simply false,' and said Tuesday he plans to push ahead with his work, launching public hearings next month

Poilievre calls on Liberals to make killers like Bernardo stay in max-security prison
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should see to it that mass murderers serve their entire sentences in maximum-security prison.
What's behind the increase in orca-human interactions, boat attacks? Here’s what an expert thinks
The number of interactions between killer whales and humans has increased alarmingly in recent years. CTVNews.ca asked an expert to explain the reasons behind the increase in interactions, explore the types of encounters, and examine the implications for both humans and killer whales.
PGA Tour agrees to merge with Saudi-backed LIV Golf
The PGA Tour ended its expensive fight with Saudi Arabia's golf venture and now is joining forces with it, making a stunning announcement Tuesday of a merger that creates a commercial operation with the Public Investment Fund and the European tour.
Rent across Canada climbs to 20 per cent above pandemic lows: report
Across Canada, the average price of rent climbed back up after pandemic lows, with the monthly rate new tenants face now 20 per cent higher than it was two years ago, according to just-released rental data.
Internal docs suggest Trudeau wants China blocked from Pacific Rim trade deal
While the Liberals insist a Pacific Rim trade bloc should welcome anyone who meets its standards, an internal document suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants China kept out.
Federal government gives updated deal to public service union that signed agreement before PSAC strike
The federal government has given an updated deal to a public-service union that signed its collective agreement in the fall in order to match deals reached with the Public Service Alliance of Canada during a strike this spring.
Prince Harry testifies the tabloids destroyed his childhood, but fails to recall specific stories
Prince Harry entered a courtroom witness box Tuesday, swearing to tell the truth in testimony against a tabloid publisher he accuses of phone hacking and other unlawful snooping.
Feds warn 2023 on track to be the worst fire season ever seen in Canada
Canada's emergency preparedness minister says images of wildfires burning across the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed in Canada and the current forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity.