The judge said it was unlikely Dutcher posed a serious risk of harming Obama because he didn’t have a real plan and it was likely Dutcher wanted to be stopped.

“But if not stopped, he was capable of injuring the president,” Conley said.

According to court documents, Dutcher told a La Crosse Public Library security guard, “The usurper is here and if I get a chance, I’ll take him out and I’ll take the shot.” On his Facebook page, he wrote, “That’s it! I will be in La Crosse. Hopefully I will get a clear shot at the pretend president. Killing him is our CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY!”

Dutcher, who did not testify during his trial, told the court Friday that he did not intend to threaten anybody. He said his Facebook post was “bait” to see if the federal government was spying on private online conversations. If it was perceived as a threat, “I’m sorry if it was taken as such,” he said.

Dutcher also said the library security guard was an acquaintance and that the security guard set him up by asking if he was planning to shoot the president when Dutcher visited La Crosse the day before Obama’s visit there on July 2.