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U.S. Attorney: Rep. John Katko Received Death Threat

Rep. Katko's facebook page

The U.S. Attorney for Western New York says CNY Congressmember John Katko received a voicemail from a 28-year-old Syracuse man threatening to kill Katko and his family if he did not support net neutrality.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gestring says in a release that Patrick Angelo has been arrested and charged with interstate communication of a threat and threatening a federal official.  The message was left at Katko's Washington, D.C. office October 19th.  The transcript follows, provided by the U.S. Attorney's office:  

“Listen Mr. Katko, if you support net neutrality, I will support you. But if you don’t support net neutrality, I will find you and your family and I will kill…you…all. Do you understand?” The message continued: “I will literally find all…of…you and your progeny and t- just wipe you from the face of the earth. Net neutrality is more important than the defense of the United States. Net neutrality is more important than free speech. Net neutrality is more important than health care. Net neutrality is literally the basis of the new society. That even if you don’t understand, how important it is, net neutrality is literally the basis of the new…free…society. So if you don’t support it, I am willing to lay down my li- (recording ends).”

Congressmember Katko’s office reported the voicemail to the United States Capitol Police, Threat Assessment Section, which began an investigation in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The telephone number that the call originated from traced back to the defendant. 

U.S. Attorney James Kennedy says in the release that Angelo's alleged actions crossed a line.

While citizens are certainly entitled to communicate their views on issues of importance to them to their elected officials, there are and must be bounds to the manner in which such views may be expressed. We will respond aggressively to those who overstep those bounds and seek to influence the making of Federal policies and legislation by making threats to the lives of those entrusted with such tasks and their families.” 

As a result of the threat, security surrounding  Katko was increased.  Since Katko formerly served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of New York, that Office was recused, and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.