Federal prosecutors said Friday they have charged a Florida man with threatening to kill his political rival in a primary election for the U.S. House.
The Justice Department said it unsealed an indictment against William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, and charged him with making threats against two people in 2021, which included another person running in the 2022 primary election for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. The general election was eventually won by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
According to the indictment, Mr. Braddock said he was going to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and make his opponent disappear.
Court documents didn’t say who the threats were targeting.
NBC News reported that Ms. Luna filed for a restraining order against Mr. Braddock in 2021 and claimed the defendant was stalking her and wanted her dead. A state court granted the temporary restraining order to Ms. Luna and her friend, Erin Olszewski.
The Justice Department also said Mr. Braddock phoned a private citizen who was friends with his political opponent and made “several threats to injure” the two victims.
“I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America,” Mr. Braddock allegedly said to Ms. Olszewski, according to a recording obtained by Politico.
“That will break my heart,” he added. “But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a f——— speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”
Prosecutors said Mr. Braddock fled to the Philippines after making the threats and was recently deported back to the U.S. to face charges. Authorities said he made his first court appearance Thursday in Los Angeles.
If convicted, Mr. Braddock could face up to five years in prison.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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