Venice Man Threatened Members Of Congress, Convicted By Jury: DOJ

Sarasota FL

11 November, 2021

7:27 PM

Description

VENICE, FL — A Venice man was convicted by a federal jury after making threatening calls to three members of congress, according to the Department of Justice. Frank Anthony Pezzuto, 73, faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, though a sentencing date hasn't been scheduled yet. Though the DOJ's news release only identified the targeted congress members by their initials — E.S., I.O. and A.S. — Democrats Rep. Eric Swalwell of California and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota both tweeted that they were among those threatened. "The use of violent rhetoric in political speech is incitement (and) is definitely creating an environment where members of Congress are receiving constant death threats. Enough!" Omar tweeted when sharing a news story about Pezzuto's arrest Wednesday night. Swalwell tweeted Wednesday afternoon, "Thank you to prosecution team at (the DOJ Criminal Division) for convicting Anthony Pezzuto, who threatened to kill me (and two) of my colleagues. Too many people today are choosing violence over voting to enact political change. We must hold all to account." According to evidence presented at trial, Pezzuto made three threatening phone calls from his Venice home to certain congressional offices in Washington, D.C. The first call took place on Jan. 25, 2020, when he left a voicemail at the office of Congressmen E.S. — likely Swalwell, who shares those initials — and said he was coming to kill the representative. Pezzuto made a second call on Jan. 30, 2020, leaving a message for Congressman A.S., who hasn't been publicly identified, that he worked for MS-13 and that MS-13 was coming to cut off the politician's head. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Sarasota newsletters and real-time email alerts. The final call was made Feb. 3, 2020, when Pezzuto called the office of Congresswoman I.O. — likely Omar, who shares those initials. According to the DOJ, he told the person who answered the phone, "Tell her I'm going to kill her today." Each time Pezzuto made these threatening calls, he used his cell phone, but concealed his phone number. U.S. Capitol police were able to identify Pezzuto as the caller and confirm that the calls had been routed through a cell tower near his home in Florida.