CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Patrick W. Carlineo, Jr., 55, of Addison, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with threatening to assault and murder a United States official. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 21, 2019, at approximately 12:20 p.m., a telephone call was received by a staff member for Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. During the call, an individual, eventually identified as the defendant, stated to the staff member, “Do you work for the Muslim Brotherhood? Why are you working for her, she's a (expletive) terrorist. I’ll put a bullet in her (expletive) skull.”

After receiving the call, the threat was referred to the United States Capitol Police, Threat Assessment Section, who began an investigation in coordination with the FBI.

The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and is being held pending a detention hearing on April 10, 2019, at 10:30 a.m.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, and the United States Capitol Police, under the direction of Matthew R. Verderosa.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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