(AP) — A suspended Northwest Missouri State University instructor has appeared in court on charges tied to the marijuana-growing operation that authorities allege they found while investigating a threatening Facebook message.

Matthew Rouch of Maryville was arraigned Tuesday in Nodaway County Circuit Court. The 57-year-old communications instructor is charged with producing and possessing marijuana.

Rouch’s problems began with a Facebook message sent from his account. It started by saying he was always optimistic at the start of the school year, but “by October, I’ll be wanting to get up to the top of the bell tower with a high powered rifle — with a good scope, and probably a gatling gun as well.”

Rouch says his attorney has advised him not to comment.