A Las Vegas resident has been sentenced to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to threatening a U.S. Senator from Nevada and the family members of two other United States Senators. The sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.
"The threats against these U.S. Senators and their families were vile, dehumanizing, and shameful," stated Sue J. Bai, head of the National Security Division. "Today’s sentence reflects the Department’s firm resolve to holding accountable those who seek to intimidate and harm our public officials. Such threats of violence have no place in our country."
Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division commented on the sentencing: "With today’s sentencing, the defendant will pay the price for making threats of violence. It is unacceptable to threaten public officials or anyone else, and the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable anyone who engages in such illegal activity."
Court documents reveal that between October 11 and 25, 2023, John Anthony Miller left multiple threatening voicemails at the offices of two U.S. Senators. Miller's threats included intentions to assault and murder a U.S. Senator with aims to impede, intimidate, interfere with official duties, and retaliate due to their performance.
On October 24 and 25, Miller further threatened members of two Senators' immediate families with similar intents related to impeding official duties.
Miller pleaded guilty to one count of threatening a federal official and two counts related to influencing or retaliating against a federal official by threatening family members. The sentencing hearing was overseen by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Las Vegas Field Office with support from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police.
Prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Operskalski and Daniel Schiess for the District of Nevada.
For reporting suspected threats or violent acts, individuals are advised to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. In cases of imminent danger or risk of harm, contacting 911 or local police is recommended.