GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A 49-year-old man who posted a perceived threat on social media has the unenviable distinction of being the first person charged with cyberbullying in Kent County.

Police allege Richard Anthony Kenney, of Plainfield Township, posted a photo to Facebook that showed The Three Stooges with Kenney’s face replacing one of the comic trio. The Stooge with the photo-shopped face is holding a bomb in one hand.

The photo caption, police said, hints that the bomb is for a particular person and uses a play-on-words that approximates the name of that person.

Kent County sheriff’s investigators say Kenney and the alleged victim are acquaintances and did not get along. Property records show they live in the same neighborhood.

The cyberbullying charge isn’t the first time Kenney has been in legal trouble.

He’s also charged with possessing an explosive device with malicious intent after allegedly exploding a can of butane lighter fluid in his neighbor’s yard on Sept. 26.

“Richard did this to get back at a neighbor and wake him up,” sheriff’s investigators wrote in a probable cause affidavit.

Kenney is set for trial in the explosives matter, a 15-year felony, next year.

The more recent cyberbullying charge involved a Nov. 6 offense, although it’s not clear if the Facebook post was that date.

Michigan’s cyberbullying statute took effect in March is a 93-day misdemeanor and is meant to address Internet messages “posted in a public media forum that are intended to place (someone) in fear of bodily harm or death.”

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said he believes prosecutors will be using the charge again in the future, particularly with the prevalence of social media posting.

He sees the statute as a compliment to the state’s stalking law.

Becker confirmed Thursday that Kenney is the first person charged in Kent County under the nine-month-old law.

Kenney’s attorney, Craig Haehnel, said he doesn’t think the charge was warranted.

“If you look at what was posted, it was obviously a joke,” he said. “He’s a prankster. Most of the neighborhood knows that."

Haehnel said he doesn’t think the average person would have taken the post seriously.

“Some people don’t like his pranks. (Neighbors) wanted to send a message. I think he got it,” Haehnel said about cyberbullying charge.

The alleged victim of the cyberbullying, when contacted Thursday by MLIve, declined comment.