Charles Alan Wilson, a 63-year-old Washington man who was angered over health care reform, has been charged with threatening a federal official for allegedly making profanity and misogyny-laced death threats in messages left for Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington announced today.
The complaint alleges that Wilson called Murray’s office multiple times between March 22 — the day after the health bill passed the House — and April 4. In one message, he allegedly said that Murray “had a target on her back.” In another, he allegedly said, “I want to (expletive) kill you.”
The press release from the U.S. attorney continues: “Wilson discussed assisting others in an attempt to kill the senator. Wilson’s threats were in response to the passage of the Health Care Reform Act.” Wilson was arrested this morning.
The complaint quotes well over a dozen passages from Wilson’s alleged messages, which contain multiple death threats as well as the full range of misogynistic slurs.
In the days surrounding the health care vote late last month, there were multiple threats and vandal attacks against Democratic offices around the country. This is the first known arrest stemming from those threats. Separately, a Pennsylvania man who claimed he was a son of God was charged with threatening to kill Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA).
In what appears to be a highly unusual tactic, an FBI agent seeking to confirm Wilson was the caller, telephoned Wilson on April 1, disguising himself as a representative of Patients United Now, a pro-repeal group, according to the complaint.
Patients United is a project of Americans for Prosperity, the Arlington, Virginia group that promotes tea party events, which announced Patients United last April. A call today to the number for Patients United Now reached a line that has been disconnected.
In a statement to TPM, AFP Foundation President Tim Phillips condemned any threats or acts of violence, adding: “The FBI did not contact AFP Foundation about this matter. Over the last year, we have been one of the leading grassroots organizations opposing a Washington takeover of our health care,” he said. “Perhaps that is why they chose to use our name, though they did not notify us.”
In the conversation with the FBI agent, Wilson allegedly bragged about regularly carrying a .38 — which the FBI says it later confirmed, along with the fact that Wilson has a valid concealed weapons permit.
Wilson allegedly told the agent that Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) “need to be strung up, and I mean put [in] the gallows.” He called the two senators “Pike Street whores” and referred to Murray as “sneaker shoes Murray.”
In a statement today, Murray’s press secretary said that the office notified the Capitol Police after receiving numerous threatening calls from an anonymous person. “The Capitol Police Department then instructed us to alert our local FBI offices regarding the situation. As this is an ongoing FBI investigation, Senator Murray or her office will not make any additional comments. Senator Murray will continue to focus on working for the people of Washington state.”
You can read the full complaint against Wilson here. The news was first reported by the AP.
Here’s the full press release from the U.S. attorney:
SELAH, WASHINGTON MAN ARRESTED FOR MAKING DEATH THREATS
Repeatedly Called U.S. Senator Threatening Her with ViolenceCHARLES ALAN WILSON, 64, of Selah, Washington, was arrested this morning and charged by criminal complaint with threatening a federal official. WILSON was arrested by the FBI and local law enforcement at his home in Selah, near Yakima, Washington. WILSON became the subject of a federal investigation after a series of threatening phone calls to the office of Washington’s U.S. Senator Patty Murray. WILSON will make his initial appearance in federal court in Yakima today, and a future hearing date will be scheduled for Seattle.
“Free speech is the cornerstone of our democratic process, and we are a country of vigorous debate,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg. “However, threats of violence have no place in that debate. The threats here crossed the line, and violate the law.”
According to the criminal complaint, between March 22 and April 4, 2010, WILSON called Senator Patty Murray’s office on multiple occasions leaving expletive laden threatening messages. WILSON stated that Senator Murray “had a target on her back.” WILSON stated, “I want to (expletive) kill you.” WILSON discussed assisting others in an attempt to kill the senator. WILSON’s threats were in response to the passage of the Health Care Reform Act.
WILSON allegedly made the calls from a telephone line with a ‘blocked’ phone number. However, federally subpoenaed telephone records revealed the calls came from his home phone line. FBI agents were able to further confirm WILSON was the caller. WILSON told undercover FBI agents that he regularly carries a firearm with a concealed weapons permit. He also stated that he was extremely angry about the passage of the health care reform legislation.
Threatening a federal official is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that have not yet been proven in court. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the charges have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case is being investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
