Robert Lemke, Threatening Communications, New York 2021

Grimy Times has learned that Robert Lemke, a 36-year-old California man, has pleaded guilty to making threatening interstate communications to a New York City-based family member of a journalist.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Lemke sent threatening electronic and audio messages to approximately 50 victims, including journalists and politicians, targeting those individuals as a result of their statements expressing that then-President Trump had lost the 2020 presidential election.

The threats continued on January 6, 2021, as individuals stormed the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Lemke sent a series of threatening text messages to a relative of the Journalist, stating, "[The Journalist's] words are putting you and your family at risk. We are nearby, armed and ready. Thousands of us are active/retired law enforcement, military, etc. That's how we do it."

Lemke also sent threats to the brother of a New York City-based U.S. Congressman, citing the Congressman's statements about the result of the 2020 presidential election. The messages included a picture of a home in the same neighborhood as the Congressman's brother's home, stating, "Your brother is putting your entire family at risk with his lies and other words."

The defendant used at least three different phone numbers and various electronic accounts to mask his identity when sending threats to his victims. Lemke was not in fact affiliated with law enforcement or the U.S. military as he claimed in some of his threats.

Lemke posted to Facebook on November 7, 2020, stating, "Folks. Be ready for war. Trump has refused to cede. Evidence shows fraud occurred and the Supreme Court cases will be successful. We blockchained and watermarked ballots in 16 states. Trump will prevail. Spread this message. FAITH my fellow Republicans. Do not give up."

Lemke, of Bay Point, California, is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein on December 14, 2021. He faces up to 5 years in prison for making threatening interstate communications.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/california-man-pleads-guilty-making-threats-directed-against-journalist-relating