Arkansas Man Indicted For Threatening To Bash In Rep. Ron Barber’s Teeth

Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., who took over for Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who was severely injured in a shooting in Tuscon, Ariz., listens at a special House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing on gun vio... Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., who took over for Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who was severely injured in a shooting in Tuscon, Ariz., listens at a special House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. MORE LESS
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An Arkansas man was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for making threats toward an Arizona congressman, including “bashing his teeth in,” the Phoenix New Times reported.

Court records state Michael Wayne Cummins called the office of Rep. Ron Barber (D-AZ) on Aug. 20 to say he would like to assault the congressman.

Barber is a survivor of the 2011 Tucson shooting that seriously wounded former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), whose congressional seat he took over in 2012. Barber was hit by bullets in the face and thigh during the incident, according to the New Times.

“I am not interested in killing Ron, but I am interested in bashing his teeth in and seeing him rot in hell,” Cummins told the staff member, as quoted by the newspaper.

The man added the general threat “I am just going to start killing people indiscriminately,” and spelled out his name for the staffer as well as his phone number.

Court records show Cummins confessed to making the call when the FBI visited him in Fort Smith, Ark., according to the newspaper. He was then brought to Tucson, Ariz. where he was indicted in federal court for threatening to assault Barber “with intent to impede, intimidate or interfere” with the congressman. 

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