Latest news with #RobertDavisForney
10 hours ago
- Politics
Georgia man charged with making threats against Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer: DOJ
A 25-year-old Georgia man faces federal charges after allegedly making violent threats against two U.S. senators and one of their families, amid growing concerns about threats targeting elected officials, according to the Department of Justice. Robert Davis Forney of Duluth, Georgia, is accused of leaving threatening voicemails for Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska in January, according to federal prosecutors. The messages allegedly contained threats of sexual violence against both senators and Cruz's family members. Forney was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 10 and charged with communicating threats in interstate commerce. He appeared before a federal magistrate judge on Monday for arraignment. "Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy," U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. "Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders." FBI Special Agent Paul Brown, based in Atlanta, emphasized that threatening public officials is a serious federal crime. "There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States," Brown said. The case comes amid heightened concerns about violence against political figures. Over the weekend, former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman from Minnesota and her husband were killed, and Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot in what authorities described as targeted attacks. The suspect in that case, Vance Boelter, was arrested after a two-day manhunt. The Georgia case is part of what the Justice Department calls "Operation Take Back America," a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime and illegal immigration, according to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg. If convicted, Forney could face federal prison time. The FBI and United States Capitol Police are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray leading the prosecution.
San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said.
10 hours ago
- Politics
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA -- A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said.
Toronto Star
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said. A federal public defender assigned to Forney's case didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the charges.
Hamilton Spectator
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said. A federal public defender assigned to Forney's case didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the charges. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
