An Ohio man has been arrested by the FBI after allegedly sending a death threat targeting Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), and his family, while also calling for the death of President Donald Trump.
The 26-year-old is accused of transmitting what the Department of Justice described as a "true threat" against Fine, who is Jewish, and his relatives.
According to a copy of the message obtained by Fox News Digital, the suspect allegedly used antisemitic slurs against Fine and his family, threatened to burn down their home and made explicit threats against the congressman. The message concluded with "DEATH TO RANDY FINE AND DEATH TO DONALD TRUMP."
The 26-year-old was charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida with interstate transmission of a threat to injure. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the US Secret Service and Capitol Police.
Fine told Fox News Digital that the threat was sent by email on the morning of Florida's primary Election Day.
"It was so graphic. It says, 'I'm gonna murder you. I'm going to cut your head off. I won't stop,'" Fine said. "I reported it immediately. I unfortunately have learned what the difference is between a nasty message and a death threat, and this clearly was a death threat."
Fine said the message strengthened his view that members of Congress require additional security.
"I don't know what this person's motives were for writing this, but it's someone not from Florida. So, you know, this was not a local constituent that was upset," he said. "I do think members of Congress need more security than we oftentimes get."
Authorities arrested the suspect within 36 hours, according to Fine.
"I'm incredibly grateful to the US attorney, the FBI, the Capitol Police, and all the law enforcement in Florida who took this seriously. The bottom line is, don't do this. Don't write messages like this to elected officials, Republican or Democrat. You want to call us bad people? Be my guest, but do not do this sort of thing," Fine said.
Fine won his Florida Republican primary by a wide margin last week, defeating social media personality and podcaster Dan Bilzerian. Bilzerian's campaign featured a series of anti-Jewish advertisements and attacks against Fine, including promotional material containing references to Adolf Hitler and antisemitic tropes. Lawmakers from both parties condemned Bilzerian's rhetoric.