An Ohio man is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to burn down a Republican congressman’s home, murder his family and parade the lawmaker’s body through the streets — all while calling for the death of President Donald Trump.
The FBI arrested Alex Justin Miller, 26, of Columbus, Ohio, on one count of interstate transmission of a threat to injure, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Fox News Digital identified the alleged target as Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., a Jewish lawmaker who said the profanity-laced email went far beyond the vicious political messages members of Congress routinely receive.
“It was so graphic,” Fine told the outlet. “I reported it immediately.”
According to the federal criminal complaint, the message arrived on the morning of Aug. 18 with a subject line threatening to shoot the congressman.
The sender allegedly vowed to travel to Fine’s home, set it on fire and kill the lawmaker and his family while they slept. The message also threatened to behead Fine, repeatedly invoked Nazis and ended with calls for the deaths of both Fine and Trump.
Fine was attending a meeting in Flagler County when the email arrived, while his family was at their Brevard County home, according to the complaint.
Investigators quickly began following the message’s digital trail.
Emergency records obtained from Google allegedly connected the email account to a Google Voice number and Google Pay records bearing Miller’s name. Login data then led investigators to an IP address registered to a Columbus residence that matched the address listed on Miller’s Ohio driver’s license, the complaint states.
Fine told Fox News Digital that authorities identified and arrested the suspect within 36 hours.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the U.S. attorney, the FBI, the Capitol Police, and all the law enforcement in Florida who took this seriously,” Fine said.
The congressman said the episode reinforced his belief that members of Congress need stronger security protections, particularly as political threats become increasingly personal and graphic.
Fine also stressed that violence against elected officials should never be tolerated, regardless of party.
“You want to call us bad people? Be my guest,” Fine told Fox News Digital. “But do not do this sort of thing.”
The FBI and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Secret Service and U.S. Capitol Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney D. Richardson-Jones will prosecute it.
Miller faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted.
