got somewhat of a criminal(?) threat via email today - should I do anything?

[michaelb]

We can't really do safety planning for you, but you are saying you don't think this is really a threat. I can't think of what the police would do either, and filing a "report" with the police really has no signficance that I can think of here: if you feared for your safety, and had reason to do so, then certanly report it. Edited to say: keep this email for at least two years since it is its own record of the threat.

I would not reply or contact him again in any way. If he contacts you again, or contacted you in a threatening way before, than this can be considered "stalking" since it is two or more events. Virginia has a civil stalking law it appears, although it is not very good; it is also a crime in VA. There are also federal laws implicated here. I can't tell if you could get an antistalking restraining order for example.

So, if anything happens more to make you afraid, contact the police, and talk to a lawyer about your options.