Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the
case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 21, 2019, at
approximately 12:20 p.m., a telephone call was received by a staff member for
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. During the call, an individual, eventually
identified as the defendant, stated to the staff member, “Do you work for the
Muslim Brotherhood? Why are you working for her, she's a (expletive) terrorist.
I’ll put a bullet in her (expletive) skull.”
After receiving the call, the threat was referred to the
United States Capitol Police, Threat Assessment Section, who began an
investigation in coordination with the FBI.
The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon
before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and is being held pending a
detention hearing on April 10, 2019, at 10:30 a.m.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge
Gary Loeffert, and the United States Capitol Police, under the direction of
Matthew R. Verderosa.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is
merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless
proven guilty.
