Former cop arraigned on charges of threatening Hoffman Estates officers

There are some things you just don't say to a cop.

Even over the phone.

Even from four states away.

Even if you're a former cop yourself.

Things like, "Could you let the officer know who arrested me ... I'm gonna shoot his 2-year-old daughter in the (expletive) head."

Or, "I'm gonna kill one of you (expletive)."

Or that you were following an off-duty officer and, "He's dead. Nine (millimeter) to the back of the head. Have a nice night."

But those are exactly the words that federal prosecutors say John Abney, a former Mesa, Ariz., police officer said over the phone to Hoffman Estates police department employees on Dec. 27, 2007.

Abney made the calls, federal prosecutors say, after he had called his Hoffman Estates parents in November seeking money and they refused to take his calls. After they wouldn't answer, he called the police station asking them to check on his father because he had just kicked him in the head, according to a criminal complaint filed against Abney. Police found an uninjured father when they arrived at his home.

Police then had a warrant issued against Abney in Cook County Circuit Court, leading to the Dec. 27 phone calls, according to the complaint.

Thursday, Abney was ordered held by U.S. District Judge Amy St. Even until another status date Oct. 15, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Bethany K. Biesenthal.

He is indicted with three counts of "knowingly transmit(ing) in interstate commerce a communication containing a threat to injure" and one count of making a threat in interstate commerce "to kill ... by means of an explosive."

The complaint said that Abney's parents told investigators he has a drug problem.