Mark Tucci, a 44-year-old Philadelphia resident, pleaded guilty to several federal charges related to making violent and racist threats against African Americans. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh, according to an announcement from United States Attorney David Metcalf.
Tucci was arrested in January following a criminal complaint and warrant. In March, he was formally charged with threatening the use of a dangerous weapon, interfering with federally protected activities, cyberstalking, interstate communication of threats, and making threats that interfere with federally protected activities. He admitted guilt on all counts.
Court documents state that Tucci repeatedly contacted an employee of a City of Philadelphia agency—referred to as Victim 1—using phone calls, text messages, and emails filled with racial slurs and violent threats. These communications targeted both Victim 1 and their colleagues.
Between April 18 and June 2, 2024, Tucci sent multiple emails regarding a records request he had made to the agency. On June 3, his actions escalated when he called the agency several times. During two calls with Victim 1, Tucci identified himself by name and shouted at the employee until they hung up.
Later that day, Tucci spoke with two other employees at the same agency using racial epithets and threatening language. He said he planned to visit the office the next day to harm everyone there and claimed knowledge of Victim 1’s home address while threatening personal harm.
That same day, Tucci also sent further emails containing similar language and texted Victim 1 on their personal cell phone—a number not previously given to him—mentioning both Victim 1's name and street address. One message warned: “This is personal now,” along with additional threats.
The repeated harassment caused severe emotional distress for Victim 1 and created fear for their safety as well as that of their family members.
According to prosecutors, Tucci targeted Victim 1 because of race and color as well as their employment by a city agency in Pennsylvania.
In another incident detailed in court filings from February 1, 2024, Tucci reportedly pulled alongside another vehicle on I-95 southbound during heavy traffic. He lowered his window and yelled racial slurs along with threats to kill or shoot the driver (Victim 2), who is African American. He then threw a glass mug filled with coffee at Victim 2’s car; this act frightened the victim and damaged their vehicle.
The case was investigated by the FBI along with Pennsylvania State Police and Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang and Trial Attorney Samuel Kuhn from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting it.
“This Office will aggressively prosecute those who target others based on race or color,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf in announcing the plea agreement.
