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.