WMAL NEWS
WASHINGTON – A resident of Frederick, Maryland, is facing a federal charge after allegedly threatening former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris in a letter left on the doorstep of a supporter’s home.
According to prosecutors and investigators, James Dale Reed, age 42, was caught on a doorbell camera leaving the letter at the Frederick home. The resident said she did not know Reed but had several political signs in the yard supporting Biden and Harris.
United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Bo Keane of the United States Secret Service’s Baltimore Field Office announced the federal charge on Wednesday.
According to a press release from Hur’s office, Reed is currently in state custody.
The letter contained the following message:
“This is a warning to anyone reading this letter if you are a Biden/Harris supporter you will be targeted. We have a list of homes and addresses by your election signs. We are the ones with those scary guns, We are the ones your children have nightmares about…When We capture Grandpa Biden We will all severely beat him to the point of death as for Mrs. Harris she will be bent over and Anally raped by my rifle barrel. Then for the Grand end the [sic] both will be executed on National Television.”
According to the release, someone familiar with Reed was able to identify him as the person in the footage. While he initially denied leaving the letter, Reed later admitted to writing and delivering it and was arrested.
“We take these types of threats extremely seriously. Such threats to commit violence are illegal and have no place in our democracy, and we will hold accountable those who make them, Hur said in a statement. “We are grateful for the assistance of the City of Frederick Police Department and to citizens who provided tips that ultimately led to Mr. Reed’s arrest and these federal charges.”
Reed faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison if convicted.
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