Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will vote on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of hate after an upheaval that split Democrats and clouded their agenda. But Pelosi said the measure won’t name Ilhan Omar. (March 7)
AP
ELMIRA, N.Y. – A New York man is in custody after federal authorities allege he made death threats against Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.
Patrick W. Carlineo, 55, of Addison, was arrested Friday morning and charged by criminal complaint with threatening to assault and murder a United States official.
Carlineo threatened to kill Omar, a Democrat, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is prosecuting the case.
On March 21, a staff member in Omar’s office received a phone call around 12:20 p.m., the criminal complaint stated.
During the call, an individual, eventually identified as Carlineo, allegedly stated to the staff member, “Do you work for the Muslim Brotherhood? Why are you working for her, she’s an (expletive) terrorist. I’ll put a bullet in her (expletive) skull.”
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After receiving the call, Omar’s office referred the threat to the United States Capitol Police, which began an investigation in coordination with the FBI.
Omar is a freshman representative who was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm election and one of three members of Congress who are Muslim.
Omar faced backlash in recent months for tweets and comments she made that critics say played into enduring anti-Semitic stereotypes.
More: House overwhelmingly passes resolution condemning hate after Rep. Ilhan Omar’s comments
Carlineo provided a name and phone number to Omar’s staff member, and authorities were able to trace the phone number to an Addison address.
He was questioned March 29 by FBI agents at his residence in Steuben County, according to the criminal complaint.
Carlineo told the agents he is a patriot, that he loves President Donald Trump and hates radical Muslims in government, the complaint stated.
He also told agents he didn’t remember exactly what he said to Omar’s staffer but admitted it might have been close to what her office reported to authorities.
When asked if there were any weapons in the residence, Carlineo confirmed there was a shotgun and a .22-caliber rifle, according to the complaint.
OPINION: You can critique Israel without sounding anti-Semitic. Rep. Ilhan Omar should learn how.
Carlineo made an initial appearance Friday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and is being held pending a detention hearing at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray.
Source Article from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/05/ilhan-omar-death-threat-leads-to-arrest-of-new-york-man/3379387002/
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