Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Federal Officials

FBI AgentPhoto byPhoto by Daniele La Rosa Messina:

Phoenix, AZ — The Departmetn of Justice announced that Michael Lee Tomasi, a 37-year-old resident of Rio Verde, Arizona, has pleaded guilty to making threats against federal officials, including FBI agents, elected officials, and judges. The guilty plea was entered yesterday in a federal court, bringing to a close an investigation that spanned over two years and involved threats posted on social media platforms.

Between May 2021 and November 2023, Tomasi, while living in both Colorado and Arizona, used social media to incite violence against various individuals and groups. His targets included a city district attorney, a state court judge, a member of Congress, and multiple federal officials and law enforcement officers. The threats escalated in intensity, culminating in a post made on August 26, 2023, where Tomasi threatened to kill FBI agents. Specifically, he posted: “Shoot the FBI first and ask questions later. . . . Any FBI [] have a problem with that[,] come to my house and see what happens. Shoot before they even pull their guns out of their trunk and you shoot to kill.”

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland condemned the threats, stating, “Threats of violence against elected officials, judges, and FBI agents pose immense danger to the physical safety of individual victims and undermine our very system of government. The Justice Department will hold to account anyone who targets public servants with illegal threats of violence.”

FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the critical role of law enforcement officers in maintaining public safety. “Threatening law enforcement officers and elected officials strikes at the heart of our communities and our democracy,” Wray said. “The men and women of the FBI work tirelessly every day to defend our homeland and protect the American people. I am proud of their selfless spirit — putting themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe — and we will hold accountable anyone who threatens them.”

U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona highlighted the severity of the threats, noting that Tomasi was not only vocal about his intentions but also prepared to act on them. “This disgruntled defendant threatened officials from all three branches of government,” Restaino said. “Moreover, he was prepared to carry out his threats: when arrested, he had a loaded handgun in his vehicle, as well as other firearms and body armor in his home. The prosecution of threats offenses makes Americans safer.”

Tomasi is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.

The case was investigated by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raymond K. Woo and Abbie Broughton Marsh for the District of Arizona prosecuting. They were supported by Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

This case underscores the Justice Department's commitment to protecting public servants and upholding the rule of law, ensuring that those who make threats of violence against officials face the full weight of federal prosecution.