WASHINGTON (AP) — A Utah man has been charged with threatening a Palestinian rights organization in Washington in a case that was unsealed Monday as tensions rise in the U.S. from the devastating war between Israel and Hamas.
Kevin Brent Buchanan, 62, of Tooele, Utah, called the unidentified group at least five times in three days and left profanity-laced messages such as “You’re the enemy,” “you’re being tracked” and “dead person walking,” prosecutors wrote in court documents.
The organization reported the messages with the help of another anti-discrimination group. FBI agents tracked the phone number to Tooele, located about 34 miles or 55 kilometers west of Salt Lake City, and linked him to the phone through purchase records, prosecutors said. No attorney was immediately listed for Buchanan. A message seeking comment left at a phone number associated with him was not immediately returned.
The threats began Oct. 31 and continued through Nov. 2, two days before the group had a public demonstration planned. Buchanan was charged with making an interstate threat, which is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab American communities in the U.S. have increased since the war began with an attack by Hamas in early October. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress on Oct. 31 that law enforcement is increasingly concerned about the potential of attacks by individuals or small groups.
And the threats we receive every single day. “From river to sea” kill all jews chanting openly on the Streets of the USA, that’s fine, no arrests
Not a good idea. Let them kvetch and march all they want. As long as Israel is destroying hamas block by block – that’s all that matters.
How do you threaten terrorists?
So the other day two crazy NK guys were arrested in Monsey for ripping down the kidnap posters and an Israeli flag everyone here on VIN and else war so delighted and cursing them as the worse of the worse. They didn’t threaten harm on anyone. But once any Yid disagrees with the Zionist Ideology he deserves the worse punishment. Now, an Israeli supporter threatens harm and is charged…the same people are now upset. Just unbelievable the hypocrisy.