Federal Threat Charges
Ohio Man Charged With Sending Graphic Death Threats To Trump And Congressman
Anonymous
Key Points
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The threat email carried a striking subject line and vivid, dehumanizing language, including the line 'Can’t wait to snipe your head off your shoulders!! :)' and body text referring to Rep. Randy Fine as a 'disgusting Nazi f***s' and vowing to murder him and his family, culminating with 'DEATH TO RANDY FINE AND DEATH TO DONALD TRUMP!!'.
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The sender used the Gmail address [email protected] for the message, which investigators traced to Miller; the email arrived at 9:02 a.m. EDT, directed to Rep. Fine while he was at a meeting in Flagler County.
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Investigators obtained emergency disclosure orders to Google and Charter Communications, linking the Gmail account and the email’s origin IP to Miller’s Columbus residence, with review of Google Pay history and other records as part of the probe.
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Miller is charged in the Middle District of Florida with interstate transmission of a threat to injure; the charge carries up to five years in federal prison, with the announcement made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
A 26-year-old Columbus man was arrested and charged in federal court for sending an email containing graphic death threats against Florida Congressman Randy Fine and President Donald Trump. Cincinnati.com reports that Alex Justin Miller sent the threatening message on August 18, the morning of Florida's primary election, which prompted a rapid federal investigation involving the FBI, Secret Service, and Capitol Police.
Federal authorities traced the email to Miller's Columbus residence within 36 hours using subscriber records, Google accounts, and IP address data. Dispatch.com reports that Miller now faces up to five years in prison if convicted on the charge of interstate transmission of a threat to injure. The email arrived at 9:02 a.m. EDT at Representative Fine's office while he was meeting in Flagler County.
The Violent Threats Sent in the Email
Miller's email contained explicit death threats with vivid, dehumanizing language. Yahoo.com notes the subject line read: "Can't wait to snipe your head off your shoulders!! :)" The message called Representative Fine a "disgusting Nazi" and included threats to burn down his house and behead him. The email ended with the all-caps declaration: "DEATH TO RANDY FINE AND DEATH TO DONALD TRUMP!!"
The threats targeted both the Republican congressman and the president in a single message. BizPac Review reports that the threats were directed at the Jewish Republican lawmaker, adding another layer of concern to law enforcement's response. The message combined personal threats against Fine's family with broad calls for violence against the sitting president.
How Investigators Traced the Sender in 36 Hours
The FBI traced Miller through his Gmail account [email protected] and worked backwards using emergency disclosure orders to Google and Charter Communications. Dispatch.com reports that investigators linked the email's origin IP address directly to Miller's Columbus residence. Google Pay history and other account records strengthened the connection and allowed authorities to identify him quickly.
Multiple federal agencies coordinated on the case. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office, FBI, Secret Service, and Capitol Police all participated in the investigation. WLWT.com confirms that law enforcement moved fast, arresting Miller shortly after identifying him as the sender. The rapid response reflected the seriousness with which federal agencies treat threats against sitting leaders.
Federal Charges and Maximum Prison Sentence
Miller is charged with interstate transmission of a threat to injure, a federal crime that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. WLWT.com reports the charge was filed in the Middle District of Florida, with U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announcing the case. The timing of the threat — sent on primary election day — added urgency to the investigation and prosecution.
The case reflects broader federal concerns about online threats directed at elected officials and the president. Cincinnati.com notes this is one of many cases in which law enforcement has moved aggressively to prosecute threats made through email and social media. If convicted, Miller would spend years in federal prison for the message sent from his Columbus home.
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