Albany VA Threat: Seifert Pleads Guilty

ALBANY, NY – A chilling threat from a disgruntled veteran culminated in a guilty plea today. Robert J. Seifert, 58, of Canandaigua, New York, confessed to menacing the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany with promises of a violent, Uzi-fueled rampage. The plea brings a grim chapter closer to a close, but raises questions about the mental health resources available to those who serve.

According to federal prosecutors, Seifert didn’t just harbor dark thoughts – he broadcast them. On June 15, 2016, he dialed the Veterans Crisis Line from his home and unleashed a torrent of threats directed at the Albany VA. He explicitly stated, “I got an Uzi and I wanna kill everybody at the Albany VA,” followed by a chillingly detailed description of his intended attack: “Watch what happens when I get to the Albany VA with my Uzi and I start shooting people up.” The tirade continued with a vulgar promise to “kill everybody there.”

The announcement of the guilty plea came from United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Donna L. Neves, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office. Seifert pled guilty to one count of making an interstate threat to injure another – a serious federal offense carrying significant penalties.

Seifert has been cooling his heels in custody since July 14, 2016, a full year before the sentencing date. The negotiated plea agreement, presented to United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, proposes a sentence of time already served, coupled with three years of post-imprisonment supervised release. While seemingly lenient, the agreement acknowledges the complexities of the case and the potential for mental health issues at play.

The investigation was spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, highlighting the agency’s commitment to protecting its facilities and the veterans they serve. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting the case, ensuring that threats against federal institutions are met with swift and decisive legal action. The sentencing hearing is slated for July 28, 2017, where Judge D’Agostino will determine the final fate of Robert J. Seifert.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked rage and the importance of readily available mental health services for veterans. While Seifert’s threats were thankfully unrealized, the incident underscores the need for vigilance and proactive intervention to prevent future tragedies. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing outcome.