Syracuse Man Accused of Threatening to Kill Congressman Katko and His Family

A Syracuse man is behind bars after he allegedly left a threatening voicemail for Congressman John Katko.

28-year-old Patrick Angelo has been charged with interstate communication of a threat, and threatening a federal official. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gestring the criminal complaint alleges Angelo left a voicemail at Katko's Washington D.C. office threatening to kill the Congressman and his entire family. The threat was over the issue of net neutrality.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office the voicemail stated,

Listen Mr. Katko, if you support net neutrality, I will support you. But if you don’t support net neutrality, I will find you and your family and I will kill…you…all. Do you understand?” The message continued: “I will literally find all…of…you and your progeny and t- just wipe you from the face of the earth. Net neutrality is more important than the defense of the United States. Net neutrality is more important than free speech. Net neutrality is more important than health care. Net neutrality is literally the basis of the new society. That even if you don’t understand, how important it is, net neutrality is literally the basis of the new…free…society. So if you don’t support it, I am willing to lay down my li- (recording ends).

Katko's office reported the threat to U.S. Capitol Police and the investigation began. Security surrounding Katko was increased. FBI Agents were able to track the number that the call originated from back to the defendant.

Angelo made an initial appearance yesterday in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks. He is being held pending a detention hearing on December 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.