Man Faces Terrorism Threat Charges for Calling Government Office Irate About Alleged Anime Block

A Texas man has been charged with making a terroristic threat to the state government after he believed a new law prevented him from watching anime.

Joseph Roy Ozment, 35, was charged with a third-degree felony terroristic threat to influence governance, according to Fox 7 Austin. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

According to an arrest affidavit from the Texas Department of Public Safety, obtained by the outlet, Ozment called the Governor’s Constituent Communications office on July 25 and left a profanity-laced voicemail in which he threatened to stab those responsible for the new law that he claimed prevented him from watching the anime he likes.

In the message, he mentions a “bill” blocking his ability to watch anime online and notes “my Google account says I’m [expletive] over the age of 18.” He ends it by saying “I’m a [expletive] stab every goddamn one of you [expletive].”

Because it ended with a threat of violence, Fox 7 reports the incident was forwarded to the DPS Executive Protection Bureau, which was able to determine where the call came from, leading them to Ozment’s address in Houston. He has since been released on $5,000 bond, according to the outlet.

It’s worth noting that Texas has not passed any laws specifically banning anime in the state. The court documents do not state whether Ozment had a specific “bill” in mind with his phone call.

However, Fox 7 notes that the state has passed bills recently requiring strict age-verification procedures for adult websites and digital app stores. Additionally, in September 2025, the state made it illegal to possess obscene material depicting a minor that were created by AI.

As part of his bond, Ozment must undergo a mental health evaluation; he is prohibited from owning firearms and must stay away from the Texas State Capitol Complex and the Governor’s Office.