An Arizona man from Rio Verde pleads guilty to fatally threatening federal officials like FBI officers and politicians.
Michael Lee Tomasi, a 37-year-old man from Rio Verde, Arizona, has pleaded guilty to making threats against federal officials. So the U.S. Department of Justice reported that Tomasi had repeatedly urged social media users to attack FBI agents and politicians.
Nature of the Threats
Over a period spanning more than two years, from May 2021 to November 2023, Tomasi posted a series of graphic threats on the social media platform ‘www.patriots.win’. This website describes itself as the “community of choice for President Donald J. Trump.”
Targets of the Threats
The threats were directed at various individuals and groups, including:
- FBI agents
- Elected officials
- The judge overseeing Alex Jones’ defamation case
- Specific members of Congress
Specific Threats
Among the threats detailed in the original indictment were:
- A November 2021 threat to sexually assault a congresswoman
- A March 2022 call for the execution of a member of Congress, stating: “He’s one of them. Kill every corrupt politician.”
- Multiple threats against FBI agents, including a November 2021 post saying: “FBI has no legal ability to enforce anything. Shoot on site.”
- An August 2023 post calling for “instant death” for FBI agents, stating: “Shoot the FBI first ask questions later. They are terrorists that deserve nothing but to be shot on site.”
Tomasi also posted a video of himself dancing with two guns, titled “My Let’s Go Brandon dance,” referencing a derogatory meme about President Joe Biden.
Tomasi, who lived in Colorado and Arizona during the time of the offenses, pleaded guilty to making threats against federal officials. He is scheduled for sentencing on October 23 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Authorities’ Response to Arizona Man Fatally Threatening Federal Officials
U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona described Tomasi as a “disgruntled defendant” who was “prepared to carry out his threats.” Restaino noted that when arrested, Tomasi “had a loaded handgun in his vehicle, as well as other firearms and body armor in his home.”
This case underscores the serious nature of online threats against public officials and law enforcement, demonstrating that such actions can lead to significant legal consequences.
Image by Ken Lund on Flickr