Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Las Vegas resident, John Anthony Miller, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for threatening a United States Senator from Nevada and family members of two other U.S. Senators. The sentencing was delivered today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.
Court documents reveal that between October 11 and 25, 2023, Miller left multiple threatening voicemails at the offices of two U.S. Senators. He threatened to assault and murder a Senator with the intent to impede and retaliate against them while they performed official duties. On October 24 and 25, Miller extended these threats to include the immediate family members of two Senators.
"The threats against these U.S. Senators and their families were vile, dehumanizing, and shameful," stated Sue J. Bai, head of the National Security Division. "Today’s sentence reflects the Department’s firm resolve to holding accountable those who seek to intimidate and harm our public officials."
Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division emphasized that such threats are unacceptable: "It is unacceptable to threaten public officials or anyone else, and the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable anyone who engages in such illegal activity."
Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division noted that threats directed at elected officials have broader implications: "The sentencing of John Anthony Miller exemplifies the FBI's commitment to hold accountable those who seek to illegally threaten or intimidate others."
Miller pleaded guilty to one count of threatening a federal official and two counts related to influencing or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member.
The case was investigated by the FBI Las Vegas Division with support from several law enforcement agencies including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police. Prosecutors on this case were Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Operskalski and Daniel R. Schiess.
Individuals can report suspected threats or violent acts by contacting the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or filing an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. In cases where someone is in imminent danger, it is advised to contact local authorities immediately.
