Press Release
Federal inmate indicted on charges of threats to the President
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal inmate was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges involving threatening the President of the United States and threatening to blow up the White House, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Nathan Allen Danforth, age 32, a federal inmate at FCI Hazelton, was indicted on two counts of “Threats Against the President” and two counts of “Threats to Damage Buildings by Use of Explosives.” Danforth is accused of mailing letters containing threats to murder the President, cause the President pain, and to watch the President die a slow, painful death. He is also accused of sending mail, threatening to blow up the White House and the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida, as well as other federal buildings in the United States. The crimes allegedly took place in November 2017.
Danforth faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the building counts, and faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the threats to the President counts. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service and Special Investigative Services – USP Hazelton investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Updated May 1, 2018
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