A Utah man pleaded guilty to transmitting in interstate commerce a communication containing a threat to injure the person of another.
Specifically, the defendant, Kevin Brent Buchanan, threatened violence against the employees of a D.C.-based Palestinian rights organisation. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 18.
According to publicly filed court documents, between October 31, 2023, and November 2, 2023, Buchanan used his cellular phone to call and leave five messages for members of the organisation.
In his November 2 voice message, Buchanan stated in part: “Your families are going to be followed and watched.” “You don’t even belong in America.” “I hope every Muslim in the United States [expletive] croaks.” “You are all going to [expletive] die, you pieces of [expletive] traitors.”
Buchanan admitted that he intentionally targeted the organisation because its staff and members are Palestinian, and because the organisation advocates on behalf of Palestinians.
Buchanan faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
