Ex-Candidate Charged in Threat Case: A Disturbing Twist in Florida’s 13th District - Video

Florida's 13th DistrictPhoto byGoogle Maps

William Braddock, former contender for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, faces serious charges over threats to a political opponent and private citizen.

In a chilling turn of events, a former candidate for Florida’s 13th Congressional District has been charged with making violent threats against a primary opponent and a private citizen. William Robert Braddock III, 41, was indicted for allegedly threatening to kill his political rival and an acquaintance during a 2021 phone call. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the unsealing of the indictment on Friday, marking the latest development in a saga that has taken an international twist.

Photo byDepartment of Justice

“Call Up My Russian-Ukrainian Hit Squad”: Chilling Details Emerge

According to the indictment, Braddock made multiple threats to both Victim 1, his primary opponent, and Victim 2, an acquaintance of Victim 1, during a phone call on June 8, 2021. Braddock’s threats included a promise to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to ensure his opponent’s disappearance. Shortly after making these threats, Braddock fled the United States and was later located in the Philippines, where he had been residing until his recent deportation back to the U.S.

Braddock made his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday and has been charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The sentence will ultimately be determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

A Long Road to Justice: International Efforts to Bring Braddock Back

The case underscores the complexities of prosecuting threats made across international borders. After Braddock left the country, U.S. authorities collaborated with multiple international agencies, including the Philippine Department of Justice and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, to secure his deportation.

The FBI’s Tampa Field Office, with support from the St. Petersburg Police Department, spearheaded the investigation, while the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI’s Office of the Legal Attaché in Manila played crucial roles in coordinating efforts with local law enforcement in the Philippines. The U.S. Marshals Service was also instrumental in the apprehension and extradition process.

Election Threats Task Force Takes Action

This case is part of a broader initiative led by the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which was established in June 2021 by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. The task force aims to address and mitigate threats of violence against election workers and candidates. Over the past three years, the task force has become a vital component in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.

Led by the Public Integrity Section (PIN) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the task force collaborates with various entities, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI. It also partners with interagency stakeholders like the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate and prosecute threats.

Political Violence and Intimidation: A Growing Concern

Braddock’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend of increased threats and violence against political figures and election workers. The Justice Department has ramped up efforts to ensure that such threats are taken seriously and that individuals can participate in the democratic process without fear of intimidation or harm.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of all election workers, whether elected, appointed, or volunteer, to perform their duties free from harassment. The task force has successfully prosecuted numerous cases involving threats against election officials and continues to work closely with local and federal law enforcement agencies to maintain the security of the electoral system.

Legal Proceedings Ahead

As Braddock awaits further legal proceedings, the case serves as a stark reminder of the volatile political climate and the serious repercussions of making violent threats. The Justice Department has reiterated that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case will likely continue to unfold as more details emerge and as the judicial process progresses. The outcome could set an important precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly those involving political figures and cross-border elements.

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