Federal agents have arrested a Syracuse man for leaving a threatening voicemail with local congressman John Katko.
The US Attorney's Office says 28-year-old Patrick Angelo left this message with Katko on October 19:
“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).”
Angelo has been charged with interstate communication of a threat and threatening a federal official. He'll learn if bail will be set on Friday. As a result of Angelo's call, security around Katko has increased. U.S. Attorney James Kennedy made the following statement:
“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.”