Baltimore, MD – A federal complaint has been filed against Justin Kuchta, 39, of Annapolis, Maryland, for sending threatening messages over the internet that targeted a United States Member of Congress.
The complaint, filed on September 6, 2022 and unsealed today, alleges that Kuchta made threats to murder the Member of Congress.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Kuchta sent threatening messages to the Member of Congress’ district office in Texas and their Washington office using an event management website.
The messages, which included threats of violence and death, were allegedly sent on July 18, 2022 and July 22, 2022. The investigation revealed that the IP address used to send the messages was registered to a private high-speed network operated by the State of Maryland, which was later linked to Kuchta’s computer.
“You have the right to your own opinions, but not the right to threaten a federal official’s life,” said United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron. “We’ll continue prosecuting these threats to the fullest extent of the law.”
If convicted, Kuchta faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for interstate communication containing a threat to injure.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the United States Capitol Police and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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