Rick Lynn Simmons, Interstate Threat, Michigan 2023

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Rick Lynn Simmons, 52, of Kentwood, Michigan was sentenced to 15 months of confinement, 2 years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine for making an interstate telephone call to the Camden, New Jersey office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker and leaving a voicemail message with a threat to injure Senator Booker.

In a joint investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police, Kentwood Police Department, and the FBI - Grand Rapids Violent Crime Task Force, Simmons was found to have placed a call in the evening of October 26, 2018 from his Kent County, Michigan home to Senator Booker's office and left a voicemail message.

Simmons admitted at the plea hearing to leaving a vulgarity-filled message in that call during which he threatened to put a 9 millimeter gun into the face of Senator Booker and put 'guns a blazin.'

'This conviction and sentence should serve as a warning to others who, like Simmons, stoop to such threats of violence,' U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said.

The FBI has zero tolerance for anyone who threatens to do harm to others, said FBI Detroit Field Office Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater.

'We hope this sentence sends a strong message that the FBI, working in conjunction with our federal, state, and local partners, will investigate these threats thoroughly so we can keep our citizens safe.'

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2019_0620_Simmons