Florida Man Indicted for Threatening Political Opponent, Faces Maximum Five Years in Prison

On Friday, the Justice Department announced an indictment against a Florida man accused of threatening to kill his political opponent in 2021. The man, identified as William Robert Braddock III, 41, from St. Petersburg, Florida, has been charged with making threats against two individuals, one of whom was his primary opponent in the 2022 election for Florida's 13th Congressional District, according to the Department of Justice.

Alleged Threats Made

The indictment states that Braddock allegedly threatened to employ a "Russian-Ukrainian hit squad" to eliminate his primary opponent. Although the indictment did not disclose the names of the alleged victims, it was known that one of Braddock's primary opponents, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), submitted court documents in 2021 asserting that Braddock was stalking her and had intentions to cause her harm. A Florida court subsequently granted a temporary restraining order in favor of Luna and a conservative activist, Erin Olszewski, in 2021. Following this court decision, Braddock withdrew from his campaign.

Legal Proceedings and Deportation

Braddock expressed his opposition to the injunction and requested to review the evidence presented against him, indicating a lack of knowledge about the allegations. Following the alleged threats, Braddock reportedly left the country, eventually found to be in the Philippines. He was deported back to the United States and made his initial court appearance in Los Angeles, as confirmed by the DOJ.

Charges and Potential Penalties

Braddock has been charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, according to the DOJ. This case falls under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force established in 2021 to address threats targeting election workers. The FBI's Tampa field office is conducting the investigation with assistance from the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Upcoming Election and Political Landscape

As the legal proceedings unfold, it is noteworthy that Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is seeking re-election on November 5. Interestingly, the Republican primary for her seat in August was canceled after she emerged as the sole candidate to qualify. This situation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political landscape.