A 21-year-old Omaha woman has been charged in federal court for leaving threatening voicemail messages for a member of Congress.
Contents
Threatening Voicemails
- In one of the messages, the woman expressed hatred for the congressman, wished harm upon him, and threatened violence.
- Court records show that on Feb. 24, she made six calls between 7:45-7:48 p.m., with three connecting and lasting between 30-40 seconds each.
Legal Charges & Potential Sentence
- She is charged with threatening to assault a U.S. official, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of:
- Six years in prison
- Three years of supervised release
- A $250,000 fine
- She waived her right to a preliminary hearing in federal court on Monday.
Mental Health & Court Conditions
- Mental Illness: The woman has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has been on prescription medication for five years but recently ran out and has been unable to refill it.
- Substance Use: Court records indicate she uses marijuana daily and admitted to consuming alcohol.
- Emotional Reaction: She told investigators she had no recollection of making the calls and was ashamed and apologetic after listening to the voicemails.
- Family & Home Conditions:
- Her mother will serve as her third-party custodian.
- She must abide by a 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. curfew.
- No weapons are allowed in the home where she is staying.
- She is only allowed to drive to school and medical appointments.
- Her family is willing to surrender her passport.
Concerns Over Weapons in the Home
- Authorities raised concerns over the presence of lawfully owned firearms in the home.
- Prosecutors noted they had not been informed of the exact location or security measures for the weapons.
- The woman’s father told officials that the guns are locked, secured, and hidden.
Defense Arguments
- Her attorney argued that she has no prior criminal record and is not a flight risk.
- The defense emphasized that she is engaged, has family support, and is willing to comply with all court-imposed restrictions.
