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DOJ Indicts Florida Man for Threatening to Kill U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

The indictment follows FBI warnings of copycat threats tied to former director James Comey’s deleted “8647” Instagram post

FILE – Attorney Alina Habba is joined by former President Donald Trump as she speaks during a news conference, Jan. 11, 2024, in New York. Testy encounters between lawyers for former President Donald Trump and judges have come to be expected as the attorneys carry into the courtroom the bombastic, and often antagonistic, style that defines his campaign trail demeanor. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
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Overview

  • Salvatore Russotto, a 58-year-old Orlando resident, was charged June 27 with two federal counts for posting online threats to kill interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba using “86” to signal assassination.
  • Russotto’s messages included explicit calls such as “Eliminate HABBA. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors” and “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH,” according to the DOJ.
  • Interim U.S. Attorney Greg Kehoe announced the indictment, which carries up to 10 years in prison for transmitting threats and retaliating against a federal officer.
  • FBI Director Kash Patel described the case as a “dangerous copycat” incident inspired by reckless rhetoric from former officials and praised Florida partners for swift action.
  • The FBI is continuing to investigate a surge of similar copycat threats aimed at President Trump and other administration officials in the wake of the “8647” post.