A former Electric Boat employee facing felony criminal charges for sending threatening texts to a worker in 2019 will avoid prosecution in his case.

Edward J. Lesniak of Coventry, R.I., during an appearance in court on Thursday, had his application for accelerated rehabilitation granted by New London Superior Court Judge Arthur Hadden, court records show.

Accelerated rehabilitation is a diversionary program typically available to first-time offenders that will allow a defendant to keep a clean criminal record if a series of court-set conditions are followed over a period of time. Lesniak’s case was continued for one year. Conditions of his release were not made public.

Groton City police had charged Lesniak in March 2019 with two counts each of first-degree threatening and disorderly conduct. Police allege he sent a text to a co-worker in Groton stating “I’m ready to kill...” and “Ya, I’m ready to go full blown genocide,” and named four co-workers. In a later text sent while he was on a work trip in Scotland, police said Lesniak texted the same co-worker, “I will be at the bar all weekend smoking. Than in groton killing. Probibly jail Tuesday,” the arrest warrant affidavit states.

Police searched home after his arrest and seized a .50 caliber rifle, a shotgun and multiple handguns.

Lesniak has no prior criminal record and had been free after posting a $500,000 bond.