Michael Lee Tomasi, a 37-year-old from Rio Verde, Arizona, has pleaded guilty to making threats against federal officials. From May 2021 through November 2023, Tomasi used social media to express his intent to incite violence, targeting various officials, including a district attorney, a state judge, a member of Congress, and federal law enforcement officers. His threats culminated in a post on August 26, 2023, where he explicitly called for shooting FBI agents.
Tomasi admitted to using social media to post a violent threat aimed at FBI agents, stating, “Shoot the FBI first and ask questions later.” He also threatened that any FBI agents who had an issue with his statement should confront him directly. These threats were intended to intimidate or interfere with the FBI’s ability to perform their official duties.
Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the seriousness of threats against public officials, highlighting the dangers these actions pose to individual safety and the stability of democratic institutions. Wray commended the FBI’s dedication to protecting Americans, while U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino noted that Tomasi was prepared to carry out his threats, as authorities found a loaded handgun in his vehicle and additional firearms and body armor at his home.
Tomasi is set to be sentenced on October 23 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The case is being handled by the FBI, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raymond K. Woo and Abbie Broughton Marsh, alongside support from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
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