The message stated: “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).”
Congressman 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.
“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, said U.S.
Attorney Kennedy. “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 Congressman
Katko was increased. Since Congressman 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.
Angelo made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks and is being held pending a detention
hearing on December 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Vadim Thomas,
Special Agent-in-Charge, Albany Office, the New York State Police, under the
Major Philip T. Rougeux, and the United States Capitol Police, under the
direction of Matthew R. Verderosa.
