Federal prosecutors in Oregon said a grand jury indicted a transgender woman Thursday with making violent online threats against Blacks, Jews and immigrants.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon said it charged Elizabeth Ballesteros West, 56, of Cottage Grove, with transmitting an interstate threat in connection to posts she is accused of making on social media that included pictures of guns.
Prosecutors said an anonymous tipster told the FBI in September that Ms. West was making threats toward coworkers on Facebook.
“I’m too old to keep looking for jobs and I’ve had it up to here being bullied by trans phobic a—hole I am left with no alternative,” she posted on Facebook, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital. “I’ll probably have to go out in a blaze of glory.”
Ms. West allegedly made another post that featured pictures of two guns and a caption that read: “So there really isn’t any point living anymore? I’m just gonna have to do what I have to do and pray for the gods to forgive me.”
The affidavit said Ms. West admitted to FBI agents that she is prejudiced against Black people because of an attack years ago.
She also told investigators that she has “mixed feelings about Nazi sentiments,” according to the affidavit.
“West feels Jewish people treat Palestinians in the same manner as the Nazis treated the Jews,” the document reads. “West is also angry that immigrants come to the United States and receive welfare and food stamps on her tax dollars, yet she is unable to access the same benefits.”
The affidavit said Ms. West was in the process of getting surgery to change her gender appearance.
Prosecutors said the defendant admitted to making the hateful and violent rhetoric online during an interview with the FBI on Jan. 3.
About a week later, federal agents seized 12 handguns, 16 rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a journal with more violent and hateful statements written in it.
The defendant was first arrested on Jan. 12 at her workplace.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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