Threats at Georgia rep over gun bill lead to charges against Michigan man, feds say
A Michigan man faces federal charges after authorities say he threatened Georgia Rep. Henry “Hank” Johnson in a profanity-laced voicemail sparked by anger over the congressman’s proposed gun control legislation.
In the message, Martin Dale Osborn said he would be at Johnson’s bedside “knocking the living (expletive) out of you,” according to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court of Western Michigan obtained by McClatchy News.
“You Democrats go ahead and keep on playing around and get a civil war going in this country,” Osborn allegedly said in the June 29 voicemail. “Do you remember the Romans? What happened there when they had enough? Yeah, they killed their politicians and the lawyers.”
“Keep it pushing, boy,” he added, officials allege.
FBI agents arrested Osborn last week in Bangor, Michigan, local station WZZM 13 reported. He’s charged with threatening a federal official, which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the station.
Johnson has represented Georgia’s 4th Congressional district since 2007 and served alongside civil rights giant Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), who died Friday at the age of 80. In January, Johnson introduced a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing gun violence in the U.S.
“The Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act will save lives and make our country safer – without infringing on any law-abiding individual’s right to own firearms,” Johnson said in a news release. “It is time for Congress come together and end the epidemic of gun violence in this country once and for all.”
The proposed bill would create a federal gun licensing system, require universal background checks, and ban gun trafficking and the sale of military-style assault weapons.
A Senate version of the measure was introduced by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the release states.
Federal authorities said Osborn threatened Johnson with the intent to intimidate and “retaliate against him on account of the performance of his official duties.”
In the voicemail, he allegedly referred to Johnson as an “arrogant piece of (expletive),” adding: “Terrified? You should be. Stop with the (expletive), boy,” according to the two-page indictment.
Osborn pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Monday, court records show. He was released on $5,000 bond.
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Threats at Georgia rep over gun bill lead to charges against Michigan man, feds say."