An Atlanta man has pleaded guilty in federal court for threatening to murder Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA.
Sean Patrick Cirillo, 34, called Greene's office in Washington, D.C. three times in December, and proclaimed to staffers, “I got a bead on her. Like a sniper rifle. A sniper rifle. And I’m gonna kill her next week. I’m gonna murder her," the U.S. Attorney's Office from the Northern District of Georgia said in a news release.
He then reportedly told the staffers, “I’ll kill you too if you want; You’re gonna die. Your family is gonna die.”
“Threatening to kill a public official is reprehensible,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan said in the statement. “Our office will not tolerate any form of violence, threats or intimidation against public officials. The prosecution of individuals who threaten the lives and welfare of public servants is a top priority for our office, as well as for our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
Read also: Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Biden 'threatened American citizens with F-15s'
This is not the first time someone has been prosecuted over threats against Greene, a far-right member of Congress who has become infamous for her controversies and embrace of conspiracy theories.
Last year, Joseph Morelli, 51, of Endicott, New York, was sentenced to three months in prison for making threatening calls to Greene's office, where he said, “I’m gonna have to take your life into my own hands … I’m gonna hurt you. Physically, I’m gonna harm you.” He said he would “pay someone 500 bucks to take a baseball bat and crack your skull.”
Violent threats against members of Congress have become a commonplace affair for both parties.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), a frequent target for abuse by former President Donald Trump, has endured a long string of violent harassment; in January, Michael Shapiro, 72, of southern Florida, was charged with leaving five voicemails for the lawmaker, saying he would "come after you and kill you" and that he'd "come and kill your children."
