A Nashua resident and federal employee was charged on May 1 with interstate communication of a threat against the President, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. The defendant, Dean DelleChiaie, age 35, was arrested and appeared before the court following the charges.
The case is significant as it involves allegations of threats made against a sitting president and highlights law enforcement's efforts to address such threats. According to charging documents, DelleChiaie worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and allegedly conducted internet searches related to assassination attempts against the President and other concerning topics on his government work computer in late January.
Authorities said that in early February, United States Secret Service agents interviewed DelleChiaie after he admitted to making these searches on his work computer. He also disclosed owning three firearms, including a handgun kept inside a safe at his home. On April 21, DelleChiaie allegedly used his personal email account to send an email threat across state lines addressed to the White House’s public-facing email address. In this message, he wrote: “I, Dean DelleChiaie, am going neutralize/kill you - Donald John Trump - because you decided to kill kids - and say that it was War - when in reality - it is terrorism. God knows your actions and where you belong.”
If convicted of this charge, DelleChiaie faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The press release notes: "The details contained in charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law." The United States Secret Service leads the investigation with assistance from Nashua Police Department; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon is prosecuting.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Hampshire enhances community well-being by enforcing federal laws and safeguarding residents; it functions under direction of the United States Attorney General; handles prosecutions of federal crimes as well as civil cases involving government interests; serves New Hampshire through representation in federal courts; builds alliances with various law enforcement agencies; operates as a federal law enforcement entity; prosecutes crimes while defending lawsuits against the United States—all according to its official website.
This case reflects ongoing cooperation between local police departments and federal agencies when addressing potential threats targeting national leaders.
