Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Online Threats Against Officials

Michael Lee Tomasi, 37, pleaded guilty to making online threats against public servants, according to the DOJ.Photo byDavid TrinksonUnsplash

Michael Lee Tomasi, 37, of Rio Verde, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to making online threats against a range of public officials, including a city district attorney, a state court judge, a member of Congress, and several federal officials and law enforcement officers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The DOJ stated that between May 2021 and November 2023, Tomasi used a social media platform to express violent intentions and threaten public figures while residing in Colorado and Arizona.

On August 26, 2023, Tomasi posted a specific threat to kill FBI agents in an attempt to impede, intimidate, or interfere with their official duties.

In the post, Tomasi wrote, “Shoot the FBI first and ask questions later. . . . Any FBI [agent] 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.”

FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the gravity of such threats, stating, “Threatening law enforcement officers and elected officials strikes at the heart of our communities and our democracy. 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.”

Tomasi is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“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,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. “The Justice Department will hold to account anyone who targets public servants with illegal threats of violence.”