A Gate City, Virginia resident has been found guilty of making a threat in interstate commerce. The conviction followed a two-day trial and less than an hour of jury deliberations.
Austin Hale, 28, was convicted on one count of knowingly transmitting a threat to injure staff at Ballad Health hospital. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on January 8, 2024, Hale sent a threatening message through Ballad Health's "Contact Us" webpage. In the message, he threatened to "walk in to [Ballad’s] hospital and shoot the stafff [sic]."
When questioned by the FBI about why they were at his home, Hale acknowledged it was likely due to the "death threat" he had sent to the hospital.
Hale faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to five years in federal prison upon sentencing.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Macon and Whit Pierce are prosecuting for the United States.