North Texas man charged with threatening to shoot Speaker Pelosi, government officials
A Wichita Falls man who federal authorities say posted threats about killing Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and other government officials was charged Thursday in Wichita Falls.
Gavin Weslee Blake Perry, 27, was charged with one federal count of transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce.
If convicted, Perry faces a maximum of five years in federal prison.
Perry remained in federal custody on Friday in Wichita Falls. The town is about 115 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Local and federal authorities began an investigation a few days ago after a resident alerted Wichita Falls police that Perry allegedly posted threats on Facebook.
According to federal court documents, on Monday Perry wrote, “If you’re a dem or apart of the establishment in the democrats side I view you as a criminal and a terrorist and I advise everyone to Go SOS (shoot on sight) and use live rounds. This is not gonna change until we attact NSA the DOJ the FBI and Any other agencies who want to get involved. Shoot to kill. This is a revolution.”
Later on Monday he posted on Facebook, the Speaker “is apart of a satanic cult and so are the people who work closly with her. Dems of the establishment will be removed at any cost necessary and yes that means by death.”
Perry was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Wednesday.
Perry admitted the account belonged to him and he wanted to warn Americans to beware of the government, which he believes to be “tyrannical,” according to federal authorities.
“The defendant threatened the life of an elected official and that will not be tolerated. The FBI and our law enforcement partners work hard every day to protect our citizens from harm,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno in a news release.
Perry told federal authorities they were violating his First Amendment right to free speech, a violation he felt was punishable by death, according to the release.
Perry said he intended to bond out of jail and refuse to comply with any court order, saying he did not recognize the authority of the federal government, according to court records.
“Americans are entitled to voice their opinions _ but we will not allow them to threaten our officials’ physical safety,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas in a news release.
Perry has a criminal history in Wichita County, according to jail records. Since June 2009, Perry has been booked into jail on charges of assault, failure to appear in court at least seven times, public intoxication, speeding, disruption of school activities and possession of tobacco products.
