Incarcerated Fayette County Man Charged With Threatening The President And His Family

PITTSBURGH - A resident of West Leisenring, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of threats against the President and the members of the immediate family of the President, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on Feb. 25, named Joseph H. Savage, 34.

According to the indictment, on or about Oct. 26, 2012, while incarcerated and awaiting disposition on state charges, Savage wrote a graphic letter to the White House threatening to kill the President and the President’s family.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.