A Texas resident, identified as Joseph Roy Ozment, is facing serious legal repercussions, including terrorism charges, after allegedly threatening state officials in a volatile voicemail. The incident reportedly stemmed from Ozment's frustration over losing access to certain anime content. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS), a call placed from a phone registered to Ozment reached the governor's office on July 25, delivering a message that authorities characterized as an attempt to instill fear and coerce government action.
The voicemail, as quoted by the TDPS, contained explicit threats. "I don’t know which one of you sons of bitches passed this motherfucking bill to get this damn shit blocking my motherfucking anime, but you whole-ass motherfuckers need to unpass this shit. Y’all are fucking ridiculous with your bitch asses. My Google account says I’m fucking over the age of 18, and your dumbass is passing these dumbass laws. I’ma fucking stab every goddamn one of you bitches. Unlock my fucking anime," the message stated. The employee who received the call reported feeling fear for their life and that of their colleagues.
While the exact nature of the blocked anime remains unclear, reports suggest that major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Funimation are still legally available in Texas. However, the state has implemented age verification laws for adult websites and certain applications, which may have led some services to restrict access in the region. It is speculated that the specific content Ozment sought might not be available on mainstream platforms.
Despite the age verification laws being in effect since 2023, the timing of Ozment's complaint, seemingly three years after the law's implementation, is noted. The legislation has recently been in the news due to legal challenges, including those from Pornhub, highlighting the global ineffectiveness of such regional content restrictions, as VPNs can often circumvent them.
If convicted of the charges, Ozment could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The circumstances underscore the extreme reactions that can arise from perceived censorship or access restrictions, even when the cause may be a misunderstanding or a minor technicality related to digital content.