A California man has been sentenced to six months in home confinement for threatening a U.S. congressman, a news release said.
On Jan. 9, 2021, Eugene Huelsman, 59, of Thousand Oaks, California, called the Pensacola, Florida, office of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the news release said.
"When no one answered the call, Huelsman left a profanity-laced voicemail threatening to kill Congressman Gaetz," the news release said. "This included threatening to 'put a bullet in' Congressman Gaetz and members of his family. Huelsman also threatened that he was 'coming for' the Congressman and that he hoped the Congressman would 'die in a shallow grave.'”
The U.S. Secret Service previously investigated Huelsman for making a threat toward a former President’s family on social media, the news release said.
"Words matter and this sentencing should serve as a warning," Sherri E. Onks, special agent in charge of the FBI's Jacksonville Division, said. "Everyone has the right to express their opinion, but when you harass, intimidate and threaten violence against others, it's a federal crime that will not be tolerated. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will work to hold you accountable."
In addition to the home confinement, Huelsman was sentenced to five years probation and a $10,000 fine.
“The free exercise of speech is central to our democracy,” U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Florida Jason Coody said in a statement. "However, the communication of threats of physical violence, in this case by an individual who had previously made and been investigated for similar threats of violence, is clearly unlawful. With our law enforcement partners, we are committed to protecting public safety for all citizens. Today’s sentence acknowledges the defendant’s repeated threats of violence and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would threaten violence against others rather than engage in lawful debate.”
