A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to making violent, racist threats against African Americans. Mark Tucci, 44, received the sentence from United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh and will also serve two years of supervised release and pay $16,529.44 in restitution.
Tucci admitted guilt to two counts of interfering with federally protected activities, one count of cyberstalking, and one count of interstate communication of threats. The offenses involved repeated phone calls, emails, text messages, and in-person confrontations targeting an employee of a City of Philadelphia agency—referred to as Victim 1—and that person's colleagues.
According to court records, between April 18 and June 2, 2024, Tucci sent multiple emails regarding a records request. On June 3, he escalated his behavior by repeatedly calling the agency. During two calls with Victim 1, Tucci identified himself and yelled at the employee despite requests to stop. He also used racial epithets and made explicit threats during subsequent calls with other staff members.
That same day, Tucci sent additional threatening emails and text messages to Victim 1’s personal cell phone—a number not previously shared with him—which included specific references to Victim 1's name and street address. The communications caused significant emotional distress for Victim 1.
Court documents further state that on February 1, 2024, Tucci pulled up beside another car on I-95 southbound in heavy traffic. He shouted racial slurs and death threats at the driver (Victim 2), who is African American. He then threw a glass mug at Victim 2's vehicle after pretending to reach for a weapon.
Authorities determined that both incidents targeted individuals because of their race while they were engaged in activities connected to public facilities or employment.
“Every citizen is entitled to a peace and security undisturbed by the abhorrent and racist threats that took place in this case, full stop,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. “No citizen has the right to inflict, and no citizen has the duty to endure, the verbal harassment and racist attacks that the defendant committed in our District.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message: hate-based violence has no place in America,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division remains committed to ensuring that all Americans feel safe in their cities and communities.”
“Today's sentencing reinforces our commitment to protecting every individual's civil rights and ensuring that those who intimidate, harass, or threaten our citizens are brought to justice,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “The FBI and our partners at the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the United States Attorney's Office will continue to work side by side to safeguard our communities from threats of violence.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI along with Pennsylvania State Police and Philadelphia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Jeanette Kang and Michelle L. Morgan as well as Trial Attorney Samuel Kuhn from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
