Controversial American businessman Martin Shkreli was thrown to jail after a federal judge granted U.S prosecutors’ motion to have his $5 million bail revoked for allegedly engaging “in an escalating pattern of threats and harassment that warrant his detention pending sentencing.”

Shkreli is now at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where he was assigned the number 87850-053 by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as he awaits sentencing on Jan. 16 for his conviction on securities fraud last August 4, according to CNBC.

Clinton threat

Prosecutors cited as an example the recent post that Shkreli put up on his Facebook page offering $5,000 to anyone who would 'grab' some of Hillary Clinton’s hair during the former Secretary of State’s book tour, which started last September 12.

U.S prosecutors argued that because of Shkreli’s FB post, "significant expenditure of resources by the U.S Secret Service," was employed due to the risk that one of the former hedge fund manager’s many social media followers would take his statements seriously.

Shkreli’s several other Twitter and social media postings, which harassed women, were also presented by the U.S prosecutors.

Shkreli apologized

The former pharmaceutical CEO issued a written apology, which said that he did not expect anyone to take his postings online seriously and Shkreli pleaded through his lawyers that he be given another chance.

Shkreli’s attorneys argued that their client’s online comments are similar to the political humor of Kathy Griffin, who was pictured holding a fake bloody head of President Donald Trump.

They also compared Shkreli’s postings to the controversial comment made by Trump during the campaign on Hillary Clinton abolishing the 2nd amendment.

Trump was criticized then for saying that may be the Second Amendment people can do something to stop Clinton. That comment was seen as a threat against the Democratic presidential candidate.

Solicitation of assault

However, Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto did not favor Shkreli’s arguments as he ordered the bail bond revoked. The judge said Shkreli continues to remain unaware of the inappropriateness of his actions or words. This, according to the judge, demonstrates that Shkreli “may be creating an ongoing risk to the community.”

“This is a solicitation of assault.

That is not protected by the First Amendment,” the U.S District Judge said.

Taken into custody

According to media reports, the controversial businessman was taken into custody immediately after the hearing and was sent to Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn, where he will stay until the sentencing is handed down on January 16 in connection with his conviction on three counts of securities fraud last Aug. 4. Shkreli indicated that he will appeal his convictions.
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