A South Carolina man, Austin Suman, has been arrested by the FBI for sending violent and hateful threats to a New York-based reporter. The threats were linked to her past coverage of his arrest several years ago. Suman, 35, is facing multiple federal charges, including making threats involving explosives and interstate stalking. These charges could result in up to 20 years in prison. For more details, visit the full article here.
FBI Charges Suman with Multiple Threats
Austin Suman faces serious charges after sending harassing messages to the reporter in November 2024. The threats included violent language, ethnic and gender-based slurs, and declarations of having firearms, some of which were reportedly fully automatic. Suman’s threats escalated to discussing explosives and violence against the reporter and her family. The FBI’s investigation continues, reflecting their commitment to ensuring the safety of journalists against such harmful acts.
The Reporter’s Past Coverage Sparks the Harassment
The threats stemmed from a past article where the reporter covered Suman’s previous arrest for threatening a roommate with a firearm, which led to his guns being confiscated. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Suman’s anger over the reporter’s story triggered the violent messages, which were meant to intimidate and harass her.
Holding Threateners Accountable
The case serves as a reminder of the growing threats journalists face. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized that anyone who targets the press with hate-based violence will be held accountable. The FBI’s swift response in this case sends a strong message that online threats will not be tolerated.
The FBI continues its investigation, and the charges against Suman highlight the seriousness with which the law treats these kinds of attacks on journalists.
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