FBI Arrests South Carolina Man for Racist Death Threats Against Reporter
The FBI has apprehended Austin Suman, a 35-year-old man from South Carolina, for making a series of violent and racist threats against a Hudson Valley news reporter. Suman was arrested on Friday in Myrtle Beach and faces charges of willfully making threats involving explosives and interstate stalking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The criminal complaint alleges that Suman directed multiple death threats towards the reporter in response to her coverage of a previous gun arrest involving him over five years ago. He reportedly made threats to kill the reporter and her family, as well as to bomb her home, using racial slurs and explicit language throughout his messages sent via Facebook and email.
FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy condemned Suman’s actions, stating, “His alleged threats to inflict significant harm with firearms and explosives were delivered with intimidation and prejudice.” Suman allegedly referred to the reporter with derogatory terms and made alarming claims about possessing more firearms than she might know of, which were laced with ethnic and gender-based slurs.
Suman is set to be transported to the Southern District of New York for his initial court appearance in White Plains federal court. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the seriousness of the case, reiterating the commitment of law enforcement to defend journalists against such hate-based threats, underscoring the crucial role press freedom plays in democracy: “To any individual who dares to cross the line and make hate-based threats against members of our press: you will be found, and you will be held accountable.”
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Photo credit midhudsonnews.com
