A man in California was arrested Tuesday after federal authorities said he had sent threatening text messages to family members of a congressman and journalist in New York.
Prosecutors allege that Robert Lemke, 35, of Bay Point, California, sent a text to a family member of an unknown journalist on Jan. 6, saying the person’s words “endanger you and your family.” , according to a federal criminal complaint.
“We are armed and ready nearby,” the suspect apparently said in one text described in the document. “Thousands of us are active / retired law enforcers, military, etc. That’s how we do it.”
Prosecutors also said on January 6 that Lemke sent an SMS to the brother of an unidentified congressman and contained a photo of a house in the brother’s neighborhood.
‘Your brother endangers your whole family with his lies and other words. We are armed and close to your home, “he apparently said in the text. You should rather have a word with him. We are not far from his either. Talk to you soon and keep up the good content. [Congressman-1’s son] and knows where his children are. ”
The suspect believes disinformation that President Joe Biden did not win the November election, authorities said.
In the text to the brother of the legislature, the authorities said Lemke wrote: “your words have consequences. Stop telling lies; Biden did not win, he will not be president. We are not white superhumans. Most of us are active / retired law enforcers or military. You are endangering your family. We have armed members near your home. ‘
He apparently warned: “Do not endanger their safety with your words and lies.”
Lemke was arrested in Bay Point, officials said. Details of his arrest were not disclosed. He will appear in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California on Wednesday.
Lemke’s Facebook account contains a background image of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who aimed their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home this summer, authorities said.
David K. Li contributed.