Carl Howard Payne, Jr., Interstate Communication of Threats, Colorado 2025

Colorado Springs Man Charged with Making Threats Regarding Tesla Owners and the Presidential Cabinet

A Colorado Springs man has been charged with making threats against Tesla owners and members of the Presidential Cabinet. Carl Howard Payne, Jr., was charged with Interstate Communication of Threats after allegedly sending threatening emails to various news media outlets across state lines.

According to the criminal complaint, on or about March 20, 2025, Payne sent threatening emails from the email address betweensaltandstart@proton.me to various news media outlets, including ProPublica and Thomson Reuters in New York. The emails detailed a ‘Declaration of War’ against the 47th Presidential Cabinet of the United States and described how Tesla owners would be murdered on April 17, 2025, and thereafter, until the death of Elon Musk.

The investigation is being handled by the Denver Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while Assistant United States Attorney Jasand Mock will be handling the prosecution.

Payne’s charges are allegations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Case Number: 25-mj-00081-NRN.

The case highlights the importance of protecting individuals and groups from threats of violence. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies take such threats seriously and will investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Carl Howard Payne, Jr., [Defendant’s full name], is charged with Interstate Communication of Threats. The crime date was March 20, 2025. The current status of the case is pending.

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