Latest news with #Forney
CBS News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, his family allegedly threatened with sexual violence by Georgia man, officials say
A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. "Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy," U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. "Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders." According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Sen. Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said. A federal public defender assigned to Forney's case didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the charges.
NBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Georgia man indicted after allegedly threatening Sens. Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer
A Georgia man was arraigned Monday on charges of communicating threats in interstate commerce in connection with threatening sexual violence against Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Deb Fischer of Nebraska, federal prosecutors said. Robert Davis Forney of Duluth left voicemails in January threatening sexual violence against the two senators, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia alleged. Forney, 25, is also accused of threatening Cruz's family. Forney's arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge follows his indictment by a federal grand jury in Georgia last week, prosecutors said. Spokespeople for Cruz and Fischer did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday night. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia condemned political violence against elected officials in a statement. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' Hertzberg said. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown offered a similar sentiment, saying in a statement that there 'is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States.' U.S. Capitol Police, which is also investigating the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday night. The arraignment follows a growing trend of political violence against elected officials. A Minnesota man was taken into custody on Sunday night in connection with the fatal shooting of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and injuring another Democratic state lawmaker and his wife in what authorities have called 'politically motivated' attacks. U.S. Capitol Police said in February that threat assessment cases had grown for a second consecutive year in 2024, highlighting its investigation of 9,474 concerning statements and direct threats against the members of Congress, their families and staff last year and 8,008 threats in 2023. Following Saturday's Minnesota attacks, the Senate is holding an all-members briefing on Tuesday focused on security for lawmakers.
6 days ago
- Politics
Georgia man charged with making threats against Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer: DOJ
A 25-year-old Georgia man faces federal charges after allegedly making violent threats against two U.S. senators and one of their families, amid growing concerns about threats targeting elected officials, according to the Department of Justice. Robert Davis Forney of Duluth, Georgia, is accused of leaving threatening voicemails for Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska in January, according to federal prosecutors. The messages allegedly contained threats of sexual violence against both senators and Cruz's family members. Forney was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 10 and charged with communicating threats in interstate commerce. He appeared before a federal magistrate judge on Monday for arraignment. "Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy," U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. "Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders." FBI Special Agent Paul Brown, based in Atlanta, emphasized that threatening public officials is a serious federal crime. "There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States," Brown said. The case comes amid heightened concerns about violence against political figures. Over the weekend, former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman from Minnesota and her husband were killed, and Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot in what authorities described as targeted attacks. The suspect in that case, Vance Boelter, was arrested after a two-day manhunt. The Georgia case is part of what the Justice Department calls "Operation Take Back America," a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime and illegal immigration, according to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg. If convicted, Forney could face federal prison time. The FBI and United States Capitol Police are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray leading the prosecution.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said.
6 days ago
- Politics
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA -- A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said.
