Thursday, February 3, 2011

'Political activist' sends death threat to Republican lawmaker in Florida, arrested

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2/1/11, "Man arrested in threat made against Stuart's Rep. William Snyder shortly after Arizona shootings," Palm Beach Post

"A self-described Massachusetts "political activist" was arrested Monday night and charged with sending a threatening e-mail to Florida Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart,
  • an hour after the Arizona shooting that killed six and critically injured U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

The unsigned e-mail, sent to Snyder's state House of Representatives address on Jan. 8, told the legislator to

  • "stop that ridiculous law if you value your and your familie's lives."

Snyder has proposed a bill cracking down on illegal immigration for Florida in a manner similar to what Arizona has done.

  • Snyder said Tuesday he reported the e-mail to the Martin County Sheriff's Office and state Capitol security officials in Tallahassee.

According to TCPalm.com and other published reports, the Martin County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Manuel E. Pintado, 47, of Northampton, Mass., used a public access wireless connection at a Starbucks a few blocks from his home to send the e-mail.

TCPalm reported that Pintado was being held in a Massachusetts jail pending his transfer to face charges in Martin County. He is under a $450,000 bail on charges of corruption by threat and sending a written threat to kill or do bodily harm. The charges are second- and third-degree felonies.

The Martin County sheriff's report said Pintado called himself a "political activist" and admitted sending the threatening e-mail. According to the report, Pintado said that he meant no physical harm to Snyder,

  • "but added he was glad the e-mail made him nervous."...

Snyder, who is running for Martin County sheriff in 2012, added, "If he thought that I was supposed to back off from the bill,

via Weasel Zippers

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