A Hastings man has been charged after allegedly threatening to kill a police officer after his phone was seized during the execution of a search warrant.

Nathan Ray Justice, 30, faces one count of threatening violence and faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.

According to a criminal complaint, the judge’s phone was seized during the execution of a search warrant in August. The phone was sent to the Electronic Crimes Unit for forensic examination.

Justice began sending emails and text messages to the deputy chief of the Hastings Police Department about his phone and was told it would take several weeks to process.

Court documents indicate that the justice’s messages have become increasingly profane. On October 22, he called the deputy chief and threatened to kill her. He continued to call her.

Justice also called a civilian employee of the Electronic Crimes Unit, and authorities aren’t sure how he got his direct line. He was allegedly rude and demanded his phone back.

He has since left another profanity-laced voicemail and contacted the employee on her private LinkedIn.

More recently, court documents indicate the Department of Justice tagged the town of Hastings in several Facebook posts, saying it “didn’t have to come to this” and was “on its way.” .