Ex-Yankees prospect from LI accused of threatening police

<p>A former New York Yankees pitching prospect from Freeport was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport Monday after allegedly making threats against police officers on his Instagram account.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 14, 2018, 9:23 PM

Updated 2,092 days ago

Share:

A former New York Yankees pitching prospect from Freeport was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport Monday after allegedly making threats against police officers on his Instagram account.
Leonel Vinas, 26, was charged with making a terroristic threat.
Vinas had signed with the New York Yankees in 2010 and played for its minor league team the following year. The Freeport man was also attempting to start his own baseball academy for kids on Long Island and in the Dominican Republic.
Police say an off-duty Freeport police officer was scrolling through his Instagram account and found an alarming post on Vinas’ account.
In the post, Vinas talked about doing “God's work” and went on to say:
"I'm pissed at so many things and so many people. So here's a message. I am going to the Dominican Republic. The first cop that stops me is either getting shot or getting hijacked."
Investigators say by the time the officer discovered the post, more than 2,600 people had viewed it. Nineteen people liked the post.
Freeport Village Mayor Robert Kennedy says Vinas was located and arrested by Port Authority officers while attempting to depart on a flight to the Dominican Republic.
Vinas pleaded not guilty in court, but did fully admit to posting the threat. He did not explain his motivation behind the post.


More from News 12
1:52
Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

2:03
Sunny skies, comfortable conditions today before rain returns Wednesday

Sunny skies, comfortable conditions today before rain returns Wednesday

0:29
Dutchess County Sheriff's Office rescues 90 cats living in disarray

Dutchess County Sheriff's Office rescues 90 cats living in disarray

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:01
Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

0:35
Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

1:11
SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

0:45
Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

1:53
FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

1:20
Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

0:47
New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

1:51
Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger