A 56-year-old Central Florida man made a bomb threat to a Congressional district office in Tampa.
United States Attorney Roger Handberg recently announced the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging 56-year-old Rigoberto Albizar Martinez, of Tampa, with making a telephonic threat to damage and destroy a building with an explosive.
If convicted, Martinez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on May 1st, Martinez called the District Office of a Member of the United States House of Representatives. During the call, Martinez threatened to place a bomb in the Congressional member’s Tampa office.
Martinez allegedly said he was going to plant a bomb in the U.S. Representative’s office and clearly stated “it’s a threat.” He also used profanity and made references to “you Democrat sons of bitches,” as well as “pro-Palestinians,” and “all those Black Lives Matter, all those black people,” the complaint stated.
While the victim was not named in the Department of Justice statement, Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor represents the Tampa area.
The case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police – Threat Assessment Section. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler III.
