According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release, Michael Lee Tomasi, 37, of Rio Verde, Arizona, pleaded guilty on August 13, 2024, to making threats against various public officials, including federal agents.
The threats, which took place between May 2021 and November 2023, targeted a wide range of individuals, including city district attorneys, state court judges, members of Congress, other federal law enforcement officials and the Department of Justice. said.
Tomasi posted a threatening message on social media on August 26, 2023, stating, “Shoot the FBI first, ask questions later. [] That's a problem[,] Come to my house and see what happens. Shoot them and kill them before they get their guns out of the trunk.” (RELATED: 'The guns will come out': Justice Department charges man with threatening FBI agent investigating Hunter Biden)
The post was one of several posted by Tomasi that contained violent language and raised concerns among members of law enforcement.
According to Arizona U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino, Tomasi “threatened officials in all three branches of government. Moreover, he was prepared to carry out those threats. At the time of his arrest, he had a loaded handgun in his car, other firearms and a bulletproof vest in his home. The blackmail charges will keep the American people safe.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned Tomasi's actions: “Threats of violence against elected officials, judges, and FBI agents pose enormous danger to the physical safety of individual victims and undermine our very system of government,” he said in a press release.
Arizona man pleads guilty to making online threats against public officials, including federal employees https://t.co/e4duw9oDnZ pic.twitter.com/wwArB7mg0f
— FBI (@FBI) August 15, 2024
FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the impact on the bureau's mission: “Threats against law enforcement officers and public officials strike at the very heart of our communities and our democracy,” he said.
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on October 23, 2024, and could face up to 10 years in prison. The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Arizona Raymond K. Wu and Abby Broughton Marsh prosecuted Tomasi.
