Minnesota Man Indicted For Alleged Threat to Murder Congresswoman

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minnesota man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly threatening to murder a member of Congress.

The US Attorney's Office for Minnesota says 52-year-old Michael Paul Lewis is accused of calling the office of the elected official and leaving a voicemail that included the threat to murder her. Federal prosecutors did not identify the US Representative who was targeted in the threat.

“Threatening to kill a member of Congress is not protected speech. It is a federal crime that will be met with immediate and decisive action,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “No one should be subject to violence for fulfilling their elected duty to represent the American people. The FBI and our partners will investigate such threats thoroughly and hold accountable anyone who threatens the safety of our elected leaders.”

A news release indicates the Minneapolis man is charged with one count of threatening to murder a United States official and one count of interstate transmission of a threat to injure the other person. A federal judge has ordered that he remain in custody until a detention hearing, which is scheduled next week.

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The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and US Capitol Police.

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