UPDATE, June 12 2020: Judge James P. Lambros has DENIED Lucas Gerhard's motion to dismiss the case. In a terrible miscarriage of justice, Lucas is still under arrest, still facing a 20-year felony conviction for a crime he did not commit, and must now either face a trial (tentatively scheduled for *September*) or spend thousands of dollars to file an appeal and wait weeks or months for a decision.

He needs your help now more than ever. Thanks for any support you can provide.

Lucas Gerhard was a bright student at Lake Superior State University looking forward to his future. An Eagle Scout studying criminal justice, Lucas hoped to be a police officer one day.



That changed in one night when Lucas posted a photo of his new rifle and a comment that it ought to "melt snowflakes, as in snow."



A student falsely claimed that this was a threat, and his college reported him to the police, who referred him for prosecution. The county prosecutor charged Lucas with making a terrorist threat, a 20-year felony, and spent the next three months in jail, held without bond.



Lucas still awaits trial under house arrest, as the judge has not yet dismissed the case. Even if the case is dismissed, Lucas' arrest ensures he can never be a police officer again. The news media dragged his name through the mud, destroying his reputation for life.



This Fund is set up for Lucas's legal defense fees. His legal representation has already cost him thousands of dollars, and it will be thousands more should the judge fail to dismiss the case and it must be appealed.



I am not an attorney and not representing Lucas, but I am aware of his attorney and will coordinate this fund to pay for Lucas's legal fees.



I doubt that Lucas is the first person this has happened to, and we need to send a powerful message that the justice system cannot simply destroy people's lives for being politically incorrect.



But Lucas cannot do it on his own. He needs our support. Please support Lucas's legal defense.