Virginia Man Arrested for Threats Against VP Harris on Social Media
A 66-year-old Virginia resident faces charges for making violent threats against Vice President Harris and others on a conservative social platform. FBI seized weapons during a search of his home.
A 66-year-old man from Winchester, Virginia, has been apprehended for allegedly making violent threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and other public figures. The arrest, which took place on August 5, 2024, was announced by the Justice Department.
Frank Carillo is accused of posting numerous threatening messages on Gettr, a conservative social media platform launched in July 2021. The threats, which spanned over a year, targeted not only Vice President Harris but also President Joe Biden and FBI Director Christopher A. Wray.
According to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Carillo's posts included graphic death threats and violent comments. In one instance from July 2023, Carillo allegedly wrote, addressing Harris, that she would "regret ever trying to become president" and threatened her life based on political affiliation.
The FBI's investigation revealed that Carillo had made posts about firearms, including claims of having an "AR-15 locked and loaded." During a search of Carillo's residence in late July 2024, FBI agents seized a handgun and an assault-style rifle.
"Just for being a Democrat you're going to die."
The case came to light after the Maricopa County Recorder's Office in Arizona identified threats made against their recorder on Gettr in late July 2023. This office has been a target of violent threats following false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Carillo made his initial court appearance on August 5, 2024, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for August 8, 2024. His attorney has declined to comment on the case.
It's important to note that threatening the Vice President is a federal crime under U.S. law. The U.S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting the Vice President, likely played a role in the investigation alongside the FBI.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about online threats and the challenges of content moderation on social media platforms. Gettr, like other social networks, has faced controversies over such issues since its inception.
As this situation continues to develop, it serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can result from making threats against public officials, even in online spaces.
