DETROIT -- A local man said he wants to clear his name after his picture was attached to a threatening text message.

Cordell Battle of Oak Park said his face is showing up on cell phones with text messages painting him as a threat, but he says he's the victim of a hoax.

The text message warns women could be shot and killed in a gang initiation.

A similar text spread panic and fear through Pontiac last month. Now just weeks later, it's the same message, but this time a picture of Battle is attached to the text message.

Battle said it is a prank by a young woman he knows that went way too far, and was sent to people in California, Toledo, Flint and a lot of other places. He said the woman is his friend's ex-girlfriend.

Detroit police are investigating because the woman who sent the text if believed to be from Detroit. When officers find her, she could face charges.

Battle said, "A couple of people said they wanted me dead, and I am trying to tell them it is not true." He tried to send out a new text, explaing what happened, and clearing his name.

Officers say if you ever get a threatening text, do not open it because it could contain a virus. They advise you forward it to police, and then delete it.