Syracuse Man Gets 46 Months for Racist Death Threats

SYRACUSE, NY – Stephen J. Taubert, 61, of Syracuse, is headed to federal prison after receiving a 46-month sentence for a barrage of racist threats against prominent public figures. Chief United States District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby handed down the sentence today, along with a three-year term of supervised release and a $1,000 fine. Taubert was convicted at trial on charges stemming from threats made against Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA 43rd District) and her staff, as well as former President Barack Obama.

The case, spearheaded by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Chief Matthew R. Verderosa of the United States Capitol Police, and Special Agent in Charge Lewis Robinson of the United States Secret Service Buffalo Field Office, revealed a pattern of deliberate, hateful targeting. Jaquith was blunt in his assessment: “The jury unanimously found that Taubert targeted former President Obama and Representative Waters because of their race. Racist threats to kill present and former public officials are not protected free speech, but serious crimes against both the victims and the rule of law that is the cornerstone of our republic.”

The evidence presented at trial painted a disturbing picture of Taubert’s escalating rage. In June 2017, he flooded the Washington D.C. office of then-Senator Al Franken with phone calls, culminating in threats to “hang” and kill former President Obama at his home. These threats were laced with vile racial slurs, demonstrating the clear racial animus driving Taubert’s actions. The jury didn’t just find him guilty; they specifically determined that race was a motivating factor, triggering a sentencing enhancement under federal guidelines.

The threats didn’t stop there. On July 20, 2018, Taubert called Congresswoman Waters’ Los Angeles district office, vowing to kill her and every member of her staff at any public event she attended. Again, the calls were riddled with racial slurs directed at Waters and her team. During a recorded law enforcement interview, Taubert admitted his intention was to “terrorize” the Congresswoman in response to her public statements – a chilling admission of intent.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Michael F. Perry successfully argued that Taubert’s actions were not simply reckless speech, but calculated attempts to instill fear and inflict harm. The jury’s findings of racial motivation further solidified the severity of the crime. The 46-month sentence sends a clear message: targeting public officials with threats rooted in hate will not be tolerated.

The investigation involved a coordinated effort between the United States Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section, the United States Secret Service, and the Syracuse Police Department. This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremist ideologies and the dedication of law enforcement to protecting those who serve the public. Taubert’s prison term serves as a stark reminder that words have consequences, especially when they incite violence and are fueled by hatred.