Police: Parolee Made Photo Threats To Former Co-Worker

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A Pilsen man sent text messages of himself dressed in military armor and holding a shotgun to a former co-worker in west suburban Oak Park, according to police.

Nicholas Claxton, 23, of the 1700 block of West 17th Street, is charged with one count each of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and cyber stalking, and also with a probation violation, according to Chicago Police.

Claxton was fired July 23 from an Oak Park restaurant job, but sent a text message to a former co-worker five days later, police said. It showed him wearing night vision goggles and ballistic armor while holding a shotgun, police said. He also sent a photo of a stash of ammunition and body armor panels for a ballistic vest.

The co-worker immediately filed a report with Oak Park police, who learned that Claxton lived on the Southwest Side, where he was arrested by Chicago Police at his home on Aug. 4.

Monroe District officers found a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot, with a sawed-off stock and sling to make it concealable, police said. They also found a military grade ballistic vest with steel plates, night vision goggles, a 12-gauge signal gun and gun cleaning kit.

Claxton was expected to appear in bond court in Chicago on Monday.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)