The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal grand jury in Scranton on Tuesday charged a Clarks Summit man with threatening to kill the President of the United States.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Nicholas Savino, age 42, allegedly sent an e-mail to the White House on Aug. 16, 2013, that read: “President Obama the Anti-Christ. As a result of breaking the constitution you will stand down or be shot dead."
The indictment also charges Savino with transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce.
The charges stem from an investigation by the United States Secret Service and the Clarks Summit Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
