A South Carolina man accused of making a series of racist death threats against a New York reporter online has been arrested.
Austin Suman, 35, of Myrtle Beach, has been charged with intentionally making threats with explosives and interstate stalking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Suman faces a prison sentence of up to twenty years.
It was not immediately clear Friday afternoon whether Suman had retained an attorney.
Suman sent death threats to the reporter via Facebook and email on Nov. 8 and used racial slurs and derogatory language, according to an indictment unsealed Friday.
“I will end you and your family,” he warned, according to prosecutors.
Suman’s anger stemmed from an article the reporter wrote about him in February 2019 about allegations that he threatened a roommate with a gun.
The complaint stated that in his messages to the reporter he stated that “I have more guns than ever” and that “I am now fully automatic.”
Prosecutors said neutralizing threats against the press is a priority.
“To every individual who dares to cross this border and make hate-based threats against members of our press, you will be found and you will be held accountable for your actions,” said Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. York.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
