ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- An Elmira man faces criminal charges after allegedly making threats of violence towards police officers and code enforcement Thursday morning.

According to Elmira Police, officers responded to a home on Lyon Street in Elmira to assist Code Enforcement with a court-ordered abatement, regarding code violations over a large amount of household debris on the property.

Police say the homeowner, John Sever, was informed of the court order and needed to allow the abatement to move forward, or face arrest for Obstructing Government Administration. Authorities say Sever refused to comply and retreated towards the garage, making threats to harm police and code enforcement, involving references to explosives and weapons. Police were able to take Sever into custody.

Sever was a

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