Man accused of threatening to kill congressman over net neutrality
Will Cleveland
A Syracuse man is accused of threatening to kill a congressman and his family if he didn't support net neutrality, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.
Patrick D. Angelo, 28, of Syracuse was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with interstate communication of a threat and threatening a federal official, authorities announced. The charges carry a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Angelo allegedly called the Washington, D.C., office of Congressman John Katko, R-Camillus, on Oct. 17 and left a threatening voicemail that included a death threat to Katko and his family if the congressman didn't support net neutrality.
Katko represents New York's 24th District, which includes all of Wayne County.
Angelo made an initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court. He is being held pending a detention hearing Friday.
Authorities alleged the message said, “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 allegedly continued, " 'I will literally find all … of … you and your progeny and t- (sic) 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).”
Net neutrality is the idea that everyone with an internet connection should have equal access to video, music, email, photos, social networks, maps and other content, with some exceptions that allow internet service providers to block spam and child pornography.
Katko's office reported the message to the United States Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section. The threat assessment team started a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The message was traced back to Angelo's telephone number, authorities said.
“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," U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. said in a release. “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.”
Authorities said security surrounding Katko and his family has been increased. And since Katko previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of New York, that office was recused and prosecution was moved to the Western District of New York.
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