A Cambridge man who allegedly repeatedly posted online about his desire to “slit” the throat of Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain caught the attention of federal authorities when he Tweeted an offer to pay someone to kill immigration agents.
Brandon Ziobrowski, 33, was arrested Thursday morning in Queens, N.Y., on charges of using commerce to transmit a threat.
Federal prosecutors highlighted a July 2 tweet that Ziobrowski allegedly made to more than 400 followers that said, “I am broke but I will scrounge and literally give $500 to anyone who kills an ice [sic] agent. @me seriously [sic] who else can pledge get in on this let’s make this work,” among other threatening messages.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been at the center of a charged debate over the Trump administration’s immigration policy, including a since-rescinded decision to separate parents and children who enter the country illegally.
“Those who disagree with their mission are of course, free to say so, but there is a difference between public debate and intentionally putting others in fear of their lives. That line is not obscure, but if the public needs this office to police it, we will do that,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said at a press conference.
Lelling said, “I can promise you that during my tenure this office will aggressively prosecute anyone who incites violence against law enforcement officers. Four police officers in this Commonwealth have been shot in the last four months. Two of them are dead. Nationally, Homeland Security employees have been warned of an increasing number of threats.”
