An Arizona man is facing federal charges after authorities say he left a voicemail at Rep. Adam Schiff’s (D-Calif.) Washington, D.C., office threatening to kill the congressman.
Recently released court documents revealed that Jan Peter Meister was indicted on Oct. 23, 2019, after allegedly leaving an expletive-laden message for Schiff saying, “I’m gonna f—– blow your brains out you f—– piece of s—.”
Meister, a convicted felon, told investigators that “he watches Fox News and likely was upset at something that he saw on the news,” according to a summary of a pre-arrest interview with law enforcement described in a court filing.
Authorities say the man then googled the phone number for Schiff’s D.C. office to make the call.
Meister denied having “any plans” to act on the voicemail threat, or travel to any political events or offices.
An attorney for Meister could not be reached and Fox News has not commented. A spokesman for Schiff declined to comment.
News of the alleged threat against Schiff was first reported by The Informant, an independent investigative news outlet.
Meister faces one count of allegedly issuing threats through interstate commerce in violation of federal law, and a second count for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The gun charge arose after a search of Meister’s residence turned up a semi-automatic rifle, two handguns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, is the lead House manager in the impeachment trial of President Trump.
Updated at 3:37 p.m.