A Gate City, Virginia man has been convicted of making a threat in interstate commerce. The conviction followed a two-day trial and less than an hour of jury deliberations.
Austin Hale, aged 28, was found guilty of one count of knowingly transmitting a threat to injure Ballad Health hospital staff across state lines.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on January 8, 2024, Hale sent a threatening message to Ballad Health located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The message was transmitted via the hospital's "Contact Us" webpage and included a threat to "walk in to [Ballad’s] hospital and shoot the stafff [sic] . . . ."
When questioned by the FBI about why they were at his home, Hale indicated it was likely due to the "death threat" he had sent to the hospital.
Hale now faces sentencing with a maximum statutory penalty of up to five years in federal prison.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Macon and Whit Pierce are handling prosecution for the United States.
