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Press Release

Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Assault and Murder a United States Senator

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York
Defendant Left a Threatening Voice-Message in Retaliation for the Senator’s Criticism of the President of the United States and the Senator’s Position on Reproductive Rights

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Michael Brogan pleaded guilty to threatening to assault and murder a United States Senator.  The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy.  When sentenced, Brogan faces up to 10 years in prison.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Matthew R. Verderosa, Chief, United States Capitol Police, announced the guilty plea.

“Brogan threatened to assault and murder a sitting United States Senator to silence the Senator and interfere with the performance of the Senator’s official duties,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “The Department of Justice stands ready to vigorously prosecute those who seek to subvert our constitutional system and intimidate elected officials through threats of violence.”

“I greatly appreciate the hard work of our investigators for addressing these threats so quickly, and that of the U.S. Attorney’s staff for prosecuting this case,” stated Chief Verderosa.

On December 4, 2018, Brogan telephoned and left a threatening voice-message at the Washington, D.C. office of a United States Senator.  The threats were made to discourage the Senator from criticizing the President, as well as in retaliation for the Senator’s position regarding reproductive rights.  In the voice-message Brogan stated, “you watch your [expletive] cause . . . .  I’m going to put a bullet in ya.”  Brogan said when he traveled to Washington, “. . .  I got your [expletive] mark you stupid [expletive].  You and your constant lambasting of President Trump.  Oh, reproductive rights, reproductive rights.”  Brogan concluded with, “you watch your [expletive].  If I see you on the streets, I’m gonna [expletive] light you up with [expletive] bullets.” 

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phil Selden. 

The Defendant:

MICHAEL BROGAN
Age: 51
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-207 (NGG)

Contact

John Marzulli
Tyler Daniels
United States Attorney’s Office
(718) 254-6323

Updated May 24, 2019