John S. Pacheco, a candidate for selectman in Westport, faces charges after allegedly making verbal threats to a reporter and editor at the Fall River Herald. Mr. Pacheco, 57, of 1104 Main Road, is one of five candidates running for Board of Selectmen in the April 8 town election.

Police Sgt. Thomas Moretti of Fall River said the incident was reported to Fall River police on March 12.

"The charge is a threat to commit a crime. It's a misdemeanor," Sgt. Moretti said. "He made threats over the phone to both the editor and reporter. They advised us of the threats and we decided there was enough to charge him so we summoned him to court."

The charges were filed in the Second District Court in Fall River.

Sgt. Moretti said Mr. Pacheco was apparently upset about an article the newspaper published about an earlier arrest. Mr. Pacheco has been charged with animal abuse of his goat by the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. That case was reportedly continued without a finding to Feb. 9, 2009.