BILLINGS: A Montana man pleaded not responsible Tuesday to federal costs that he threatened to assault and homicide former Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Richard Lee Rogers of Yellowstone County in southern Montana entered the plea throughout an preliminary look earlier than US Justice of the Peace Decide Timothy Cavan in federal court docket in Billings.
Rogers is charged with threats to injure and homicide a member of Congress, which carries a 10-year jail sentence and $250,000 advantageous. He faces a second cost of constructing harassing phone calls.
The threats allegedly occurred Feb. 3, a number of weeks after Republicans elected McCarthy to his short-lived tenure as speaker -which was characterised by frequent clashes with hard-right members of his personal social gathering.
A grand jury indictment filed final month stated the threats have been meant as retaliation for McCarthy’s actions as Home speaker however didn’t present particulars. The indictment stated Rogers made repeated interstate cellphone calls “solely to harass an individual” however didn’t title the particular person.
Rogers has no prior prison historical past, in line with the choose, who allowed the defendant to stay free below situations together with no medication or alcohol and no entry to firearms. Rogers advised the choose that he owns firearms however moved them to his mom’s home the place they’re in a locked protected he cannot entry.
Rogers and lawyer Vann Arvanetes from the Federal Defenders of Montana declined remark after Tuesday’s listening to.
Richard Lee Rogers of Yellowstone County in southern Montana entered the plea throughout an preliminary look earlier than US Justice of the Peace Decide Timothy Cavan in federal court docket in Billings.
Rogers is charged with threats to injure and homicide a member of Congress, which carries a 10-year jail sentence and $250,000 advantageous. He faces a second cost of constructing harassing phone calls.
The threats allegedly occurred Feb. 3, a number of weeks after Republicans elected McCarthy to his short-lived tenure as speaker -which was characterised by frequent clashes with hard-right members of his personal social gathering.
A grand jury indictment filed final month stated the threats have been meant as retaliation for McCarthy’s actions as Home speaker however didn’t present particulars. The indictment stated Rogers made repeated interstate cellphone calls “solely to harass an individual” however didn’t title the particular person.
Rogers has no prior prison historical past, in line with the choose, who allowed the defendant to stay free below situations together with no medication or alcohol and no entry to firearms. Rogers advised the choose that he owns firearms however moved them to his mom’s home the place they’re in a locked protected he cannot entry.
Rogers and lawyer Vann Arvanetes from the Federal Defenders of Montana declined remark after Tuesday’s listening to.