A Myrtle Beach man, 35-year-old Austin Suman, was arrested on Friday following a large police presence in the Cresswind neighborhood. The arrest, which involved the FBI and other agencies, was prompted by a series of violent and hate-based threats directed at a New York-based news reporter.
Threats Sent via Facebook and Email
Suman allegedly sent threatening messages to the reporter and her family, including statements about killing them and blowing up their house. The threats were reportedly motivated by an article the reporter had written years earlier, which covered Suman’s prior arrest for threatening a former roommate with a firearm. This earlier incident resulted in the confiscation of his firearms.
Suman’s threats were not only violent but also appeared to be fueled by prejudice, including gender, race, ethnicity, and national origin. According to authorities, the threats were made over Facebook and email on November 8, 2024.
Legal Charges and Potential Sentencing
Suman faces several charges related to the threats, including:
- Threatening interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
- Willfully making a threat involving explosives, with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
- Interstate stalking, which can result in up to five years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reyhan Watson, and Suman will be presented in White Plains federal court in the Southern District of New York.
Protecting the Press and Accountability
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stressed the importance of holding individuals accountable for such threats against the press, stating, “The charges against the defendant demonstrate our resolve to work at lightning speed to neutralize threats against the press, which serves a vital role in our democracy.”
James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director of the FBI’s New York field office, added that the FBI would continue pursuing individuals who use hateful messages to threaten others.
For more on this case, you can visit FBI’s official website.
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