A Tampa man is guilty of threatening to plant a bomb in a congressional district office in Central Florida.
United States Attorney Roger Handberg recently announced that a federal jury found 57-year-old Rigoberto Albizar Martinez, of Tampa, guilty of threatening to destroy a building using an explosive.
According to court documents, on May 1, 2024, Martinez called the Tampa district office of a member of the United States House of Representatives, which is represented by a Democrat, and left a vulgar, racist, obscenity-laden voicemail.
In the voicemail, he threatened to plant a bomb in the Representative’s 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 in Congress.
Martinez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police – Threat Assessment Section. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler III.
