GREENBELT, MD – Michael Bogoslavski, 33, of Cheverly, Maryland, is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to open fire at the U.S. Capitol Building. Bogoslavski was charged by complaint with transmitting in interstate commerce a communication containing a threat to injure another person, according to a Department of Justice release. He was ordered detained pending trial following a hearing yesterday.
The feds and local cops moved fast on this one. U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein hailed the joint effort, stating their actions “may have prevented a tragic outcome.” The complaint, unsealed yesterday, details how a federal employee at the Capitol received chilling text messages from Bogoslavski on February 2, 2015, indicating he planned to arrive at the employee’s workplace armed and ready to shoot both the employee and others. While the employee was reporting the threats to U.S. Capitol Police, Bogoslavski reportedly doubled down, calling the employee’s phone and making further threats, even mentioning “to die suicide by cop.”
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks highlighted the role of a new law in securing Bogoslavski’s arrest. “With the help of the Threats of Mass Violence state law passed last year, my office was able to work with Cheverly Police to detain Mr. Bogoslavski and obtain a warrant which led to the removal of firearms from his home,” she said. Cheverly Police responded to Bogoslavski’s residence, taking him into custody. He was briefly hospitalized before being formally arrested and held in federal custody.
A subsequent search of Bogoslavski’s home turned up a pair of loaded handguns and additional ammunition. Investigators learned that Bogoslavski is a retired Army veteran, having served over nine years, including two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, before retiring in March 2013. While the military service is noted, it doesn’t excuse the alleged threats. The man was clearly spiraling.
If convicted, Bogoslavski faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. It’s important to remember that a complaint is not a conviction; Bogoslavski is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Gardner and Nicholas J. Patterson of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
The investigation involved a wide range of agencies: U.S. Capitol Police, Cheverly Police Department, FBI, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Prince George’s County Police Department. Rosenstein specifically praised their collaborative work. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of violence and the importance of swift, coordinated law enforcement action.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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