A Syracuse man is facing trial after he threatened to kill California Congresswoman Maxine Waters and former President Barack Obama, according to federal prosecutors.

Stephen Taubert, 61, of Syracuse, was charged earlier this year with three felonies for allegedly threatening to assault a federal official, making threats against a former president and using interstate commerce to make a threat, court papers said.

The court papers provided the following account:

Taubert’s charges stem from a series of phone calls he made to Congressional offices in 2017 and 2018.

In 2017, he called the office of former Sen. Al Franken and spoke with two employees. During these calls, Taubert allegedly made threats he was going to harm President Barack Obama. Taubert used racial slurs and other offensive language, including the n-word.

Syracuse police investigated at the time. Taubert initially denied calling Franken’s office, but later admitted he called because he was upset about a video attacking President Donald Trump, made by actress Kathy Griffin. He apologized to police officers, saying he was just “a cranky old man with a lot of time on his hands and too much television.”

In July 2018, Taubert allegedly called the office of Congresswoman Maxine Waters, yelling racial slurs to threaten her and her staff, again using the n-word.

This time, an agent for Capitol Police joined Syracuse officers in an interview with Taubert, according to the court papers.

Officers said Taubert during this interview at times admitted to threatening Waters, but defended himself, saying the purpose of his call was to tell Waters she was a “low-IQ n*****.” Taubert in court filings denies ever admitting to making threats.

Police arrested Taubert in January after an indictment was unsealed in federal court. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Andrew Baxter ordered Taubert be detained in jail pending a trial. Baxter noted there was no alternative to jail that would ensure the public’s safety.

Taubert denies the charges, contending that while he used racial slurs and strong language, his words never amounted to a threat against anyone.

He is expected to take the case to trial next week.

Prosecutors expect to call Capitol and Syracuse police officers to testify along with members of the congressional offices who received the calls.

Taubert indicated he wants to call character witnesses to testify about how he is not a violent person. Government lawyers wrote in court papers that if he called such witnesses, they planned to ask about other incidents involving Taubert, including threats from years ago against the NAACP and former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner.

If convicted of all three charges, Taubert could face a maximum of 31 years in prison.

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992