LOS ANGELES – Brian Michael Gaherty, 61, of Houston, Texas, will spend nearly three years in federal prison after being sentenced for a campaign of terror directed at U.S. Representative Maxine Waters. Judge R. Gary Klausner handed down a 33-month sentence today, along with a $10,000 fine, finding Gaherty specifically targeted Waters due to her race – a hate-crime enhancement to his sentence.
The threats weren’t idle ramblings. Between August and November of 2022, Gaherty bombarded Waters’ Los Angeles district office with four voicemails laced with violent intent. He didn’t just disagree with her policies; he explicitly threatened her life, using graphic and disturbing language. Gaherty pleaded guilty on January 29th to one count of threatening a United States official, but the details revealed in court paint a picture of escalating malice.
According to the plea agreement, Gaherty vowed to “put a cap” between Waters’ eyes, “cut [her] throat,” and “stomp” her. He claimed he and associates had a “contract” on her life, warning the congresswoman to “better move.” This wasn’t a one-time outburst; it was a sustained, deliberate attempt to instill fear and disrupt Waters’ ability to serve her constituents in California’s 43rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Los Angeles and the South Bay.
Even after being contacted by authorities in October 2022 and warned to cease his behavior, Gaherty doubled down. In November, he left two more voicemails, accusing Waters of escalating the situation by reporting his initial threats to law enforcement. He declared his statements weren’t “threats” but “promises,” vowing to confront her “on the street” and reiterating the existence of a contract to “take [her]… out.” He chillingly warned her to “watch your back.”
“Threats to harm or kill elected officials are anathema to our nation’s values and must not – and will not – be tolerated,” stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “My office and the entire Department of Justice will continue to combat threats against public officials and other attempts to chill democracy.” This case underscores the growing danger faced by those in public service and the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting such acts.
The investigation was spearheaded by the United States Capitol Police, with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorney Laura A. Alexander of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section. Gaherty’s sentence sends a clear message: targeting elected officials with threats of violence carries severe consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on threats to our democracy.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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