Pechanga man arrested for terrorist threat

A man who allegedly made racial slurs to a white man and threatened his life was arrested on suspicion of making a terrorist threat.

Temecula police said that at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, June 23, deputies received a report of a terrorist threat made against a Pechanga Casino employee based on his race.

The investigation revealed that Pechanga Reservation resident George Salgado, 55, saw several casino employees working near his property. Salgado singled out the lone Caucasian employee, commented about his race and threatened to shoot and kill him.

Fearing for his safety, the victim quickly left the area and reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Department. A short time later, deputies contacted Salgado on his property and took him into custody without incident.

George Salgado will be charged with terrorist threats and a hate crime because the threats were based on the victim’s race.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (951) 696-3000.