A Syracuse man has been arrested and charged with threatening a federal official, including Congressman John Katko and his family, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
Patrick D. Angelo, 28, of Syracuse, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with interstate communication of a threat, and threatening a federal official, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, the criminal complaint alleges that on Thursday, October 19, 2017, the Washington D.C. office of New York Congressman John Katko received a threatening voice mail that included a death threat to the Congressman and his family.
The message stated: “Listen Mr. Katko, if you support net neutrality, I will support you. But if you don’t support net neutrality, I will find you and your family and I will kill…you…all. Do you understand?” The message continued: “I will literally find all…of…you and your progeny and t- just wipe you from the face of the earth. Net neutrality is more important than the defense of the United States. Net neutrality is more important than free speech. Net neutrality is more important than health care. Net neutrality is literally the basis of the new society. That even if you don’t understand, how important it is, net neutrality is literally the basis of the new…free…society. So if you don’t support it, I am willing to lay down my li- (recording ends).”
Congressman Katko’s office reported the voicemail to the United States Capitol Police, Threat Assessment Section, which began an investigation in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The telephone number that the call originated from traced back to the defendant.
“While citizens are certainly entitled to communicate their views on issues of importance to them to their elected officials, there are and must be bounds to the manner in which such views may be expressed,” said U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy. “We will respond aggressively to those who overstep those bounds and seek to influence the making of Federal policies and legislation by making threats to the lives of those entrusted with such tasks and their families.”
Angelo made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks and is being held pending a detention hearing on December 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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