A Utah man has been charged with threatening a Palestinian rights organization in Washington in a case that was unsealed Monday as tensions rise in the U.S. from the devastating war between Israel and Hamas.
Quick Read
- Utah Man Charged for Threatening Palestinian Rights Group:
- Kevin Brent Buchanan, 62, from Tooele, Utah, faces charges for threatening a Palestinian rights organization in Washington.
- The case was unsealed amid rising tensions in the U.S. due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- Nature of the Threats:
- Buchanan allegedly made at least five calls over three days, leaving profanity-laced threatening messages.
- The messages included phrases like “You’re the enemy,” “you’re being tracked,” and “dead person walking.”
- Investigation and Tracking:
- The targeted organization, with assistance from an anti-discrimination group, reported the messages.
- FBI agents traced the phone number to Buchanan, linking him to the phone through purchase records.
- Legal Proceedings:
- Buchanan is charged with making an interstate threat.
- The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
- Rising Domestic Tensions:
- The U.S. has seen an increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab American communities since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war.
- FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed concern about potential attacks by individuals or small groups in a congressional testimony on Oct. 31.
The Associated Press has the story:
A Utah man is charged with threatening a Palestinian rights group
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
A Utah man has been charged with threatening a Palestinian rights organization in Washington in a case that was unsealed Monday as tensions rise in the U.S. from the devastating war between Israel and Hamas.
Kevin Brent Buchanan, 62, of Tooele, Utah, called the unidentified group at least five times in three days and left profanity-laced messages such as “You’re the enemy,” “you’re being tracked” and “dead person walking,” prosecutors wrote in court documents.
The organization reported the messages with the help of another anti-discrimination group. FBI agents tracked the phone number to Tooele, located about 34 miles or 55 kilometers west of Salt Lake City, and linked him to the phone through purchase records, prosecutors said. No attorney was immediately listed for Buchanan. A message seeking comment left at a phone number associated with him was not immediately returned.
The threats began Oct. 31 and continued through Nov. 2, two days before the group had a public demonstration planned. Buchanan was charged with making an interstate threat, which is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab American communities in the U.S. have increased since the war began with an attack by Hamas in early October. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress on Oct. 31 that law enforcement is increasingly concerned about the potential of attacks by individuals or small groups.
