The trial of an Arizona man charged with threatening the life of Rep. Adam Schiff after drinking alcohol and watching Fox News has been postponed to March, according to federal court records.

Jan Peter Meister is accused of calling Schiff's Washington office from Tucson around Oct. 1 and leaving an expletive-laden voicemail that said in part that he would "blow your brains out," according to an indictment submitted by U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey on Oct. 23.

The story was first reported Tuesday morning by The Informant. The Arizona Republic independently obtained federal court records from the case.

Schiff's team did not respond to a request for comment.

The indictment charged Meister with one count of making a threat through interstate commerce.

A Nov. 12 document, also submitted by Bailey, said U.S. Capitol Police determined through caller ID and investigation that it was Meister who left the voicemail.

Police went to Meister's home on Oct. 3. Meister agreed to an interview where he eventually confirmed he'd made the call, stating he was "intoxicated" and did not remember specifics of the incident, Bailey wrote.

When asked about weapons, Meister denied owning any weapons except for a "muzzleloader" rifle for hunting. He said he had never used the weapon, Bailey wrote.

Home search yields firearms, 700 rounds of ammunition

In a search of Meister's home on Oct. 18, agents found a Taurus .380 caliber handgun with a loaded magazine in a nightstand and a black powder revolver in a bedside drawer. They also found a black powder muzzleloader rifle with a firing kit propped up by the bed, Bailey wrote.

A black powder revolver was found in the entryway of Meister's trailer, and in an unlocked storage container, agents also found a 9mm handgun and an American Tactical rifle with a case and three magazines, Bailey wrote.

In total, more than 700 rounds of ammunition were found.

Meister said the firearms and accessories belonged to his wife, Bailey wrote.

In a post-search interview, Meister admitted to firing a black powder weapon "multiple times," despite having previously denied having that weapon to Capitol police. It's unknown whether he was referring to the rifle or the revolver.

Bailey wrote the government intended to "seek a superseding indictment" against the defendant for prohibited possession.

An arrest warrant was served on Oct. 25, 2019, during which Meister made "unsolicited statements and cursed at agents," Bailey wrote. Meister at one point said "F--k Adam Schiff," and agents noted he smelled strongly of alcohol, Bailey wrote.

Meister told pretrial services personnel he drinks alcohol three times per week and averages two drinks per sitting, and that he "does not think he needs substance abuse treatment."

In an appeal of the magistrate's detention order, Meister's public defenders Jon M. Sands and Elena M. Kay argued that Meister has "no ties to Washington or the ability to travel there" and that there is "little evidence he could have carried out his alleged threat."

They argued that Meister was neither a flight risk nor a risk to the community. They acknowledged Meister had previous convictions, but they argued his last offense was committed nearly two decades ago and he has remained out of trouble since.

Meister's attorney's also argued that their client did not flee or commit new crimes between his alleged offense on Oct. 1 and his arrest at the end of October, proving he is not a flight risk.

In a Jan. 28 filing, Meister's attorney Bradley K. Roach wrote that his client apologized for the voicemail in a pre-arrest interview and said that it was "out of character."

Meister said he watches Fox News and was "likely...upset at something that he saw on the news," Roach wrote. "He stated that he strongly dislikes the Democrats, and feels they are to blame for the country's political issues."

In the same filing, Roach wrote Meister denied any plans to act on the voicemail threat, affiliations with any groups, interest in assassins or possession of journals or manifestos related to public officials. Meister also denied any homicidal or suicidal thoughts and any history of mental illness.

Meister's criminal history

The investigation discovered Meister was initially prohibited from owning firearms, but his right to possess firearms in Arizona was restored by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge. It's not immediately known when that occurred.

Meister is a registered sex offender, having been convicted of second-degree rape in 1989 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of probation, Bailey wrote.

That same year, he also was convicted of a sexual offense and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was sentenced to one year in prison and three years in prison, to run concurrently, Bailey wrote. It's not known when he was released.

He was later found in violation of his probation and sentenced to five years in prison in 1996. Meister also has prior convictions for DUI, aggravated DUI, disorderly conduct and assault.

Meister's new trial date is scheduled for March 9 and is expected to conclude within three days, according to court records.

Reach the reporter at bfrank@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8529. Follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank.

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