An American living abroad who was arrested last week on charges of make death threats against US senators and political groups for the number of unsolicited political emails he was receiving, he was charged Tuesday by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Eric Charles Welton, who has lived in Thailand for more than a decade, allegedly made several threatening calls from abroad in 2021 to the offices of North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and then-Sen. Richard Burr, according to court documents.
Welton, 51, was arrested Thursday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as he was returning to the United States from abroad, according to the Justice Department. He faces one count of threatening to kill a federal official and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
In September 2021, Welton allegedly spoke to a staffer at Senator Thom Tillis’ Raleigh office and, among other things, threatened to show up and “put a bullet in their heads.” The complaint also states that Welton threatened to cut off the hands of the individual who had decided to send him the emails.
The complaint further alleges that in October and November 2022, Welton began threatening the US Marines and others. who worked at the US Consulate in Thailand. In a voicemail, Welton allegedly stated that he was “going to kill a bunch of Marines” out of anger over an immigration issue.
“Our elected representatives and the public servants who work in their offices must be free to do the work of the people without threat of violence,” said US Attorney Michael Easley.
“It is unacceptable to make violent threats against anyone. And when threats are directed at elected officials or members of the military, it can affect their ability to serve our country effectively,” said Robert M. DeWitt, FBI Special Agent in Charge Charlotte.
Keep reading:
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– Fed Up With Threats: All Election Administrators In A Texas County Resign
Source: La Opinion
