A Georgia man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly threatened violence against FBI Director Christopher Wray in a message posted online last year, the Department of Justice said.
John Woodbury, 34, of Roswell, was arraigned Thursday on federal charges of transmitting interstate threats, the DOJ said.
Prosecutors allege that Woodbury posted a message on the online message board 4chan “that threatened violence against FBI Director Wray and others” on June 7, 2023.
FBI Director Christopher Wray arrives to testify during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on June 4, 2024.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The indictment alleges that Woodbury posted threatening statements that included: “Let’s show them what a f—— ‘Nazi’ … looks like …. It’s time to burn these mother f—— down and hang them from trees. Hit them where it f—— hurts. Hit Chris at his home. Make his family fear stepping one foot outside their god damn door.”
Woodbury allegedly posted Wray’s home address along with the “threatening language,” the DOJ said.
The defendant “consciously disregard[ed] a substantial risk that his communication would be viewed as threatening violence,” the indictment stated.
It was not immediately clear from the indictment what prompted the alleged threats or what led investigators to Woodbury.
Woodbury was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month on the charges of threats by interstate communications and threats to a federal law enforcement officer. He has not entered a plea to the charges. Online court records did not list any attorney information.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia, whose office is prosecuting the case, called threats against law enforcement officials “especially heinous.”
“Sending threats to physically harm a public official in an attempt to thwart the administration of justice is a criminal offense,” Buchanan said in a statement. “Director Wray and other law enforcement officials work tirelessly to safeguard our freedoms and to protect our citizens from harm.”
“Our office will remain steadfast in helping to ensure that public officials are able to carry out their duties free from fear or intimidation,” the statement continued.
A man from Florida is facing charges for allegedly threatening FBI Director Christopher Wray in an online message. The man, whose name has not been released, reportedly sent a threatening message to Wray through a social media platform.
The message, which was reported to authorities by the FBI, contained explicit threats against Wray and his family. The man is now facing federal charges for making threats against a government official, which is a serious offense that can result in significant penalties.
Threatening a government official is a federal crime under United States law, and individuals who engage in such behavior can face severe consequences. In this case, the man could potentially face prison time and hefty fines if he is found guilty of making the threats.
It is important to remember that threats against government officials are taken very seriously by law enforcement agencies, as they pose a real danger to the safety and security of those individuals and their families. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies work diligently to investigate and prosecute individuals who make threats against government officials in order to protect them from harm.
In today’s digital age, it is easier than ever for individuals to make threats against public figures through online platforms. However, it is crucial for people to understand that there are legal consequences for such actions, and that threatening behavior will not be tolerated by law enforcement.
The case of the man who allegedly threatened FBI Director Christopher Wray serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the rule of law and refraining from engaging in threatening behavior towards government officials. It is essential for individuals to express their opinions and grievances in a peaceful and lawful manner, rather than resorting to threats and violence.
As the legal proceedings against the man continue, it is hoped that justice will be served and that he will be held accountable for his actions. Threatening government officials is a serious offense that undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law, and it is imperative that individuals who engage in such behavior are held responsible for their actions.
