A Florida man has been indicted after threatening to kill interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba in a series of “86” messages posted online.
According to the indictment, Salvatore Russotto, in May, made a threat to “injure and kill the victim in a series of online posts.”
The term “86” has been interpreted by law enforcement officials to mean “kill or get rid of.”
Fox News reported that the victim referred to in the indictment is Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey who previously served as counselor to President Donald Trump.
“[VICTIM] is a c***,” Russotto posted. “86 that b****.”
He also allegedly posted: “A slow painful death for [VICTIM]. 86 that c***.”
Russotto also allegedly posted: “Eliminate [VICTIM]. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors.”
Russotto was charged with transmission of an interstate threat to injure and retaliating against a federal law enforcement officer by threat.
“This is yet another disturbing example of a dangerous copycat inspired by the reckless behavior of former officials, targeting those who serve our country and threatening the very people working to keep America safe,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News. “Our FBI will not tolerate political violence in any form.”
The indictment comes after Patel said that he has been forced to divert agents to investigate “copycats” of potential threats to Trump as a result of former FBI Director James Comey’s “86 47” social media post last month. (RELATED: Secret Service Investigating James Comey Over Alleged Threat Toward President Trump)
An FBI official told Fox News Digital that they cannot disclose the number of “copycat” incidents due to ongoing investigations but described the number as “significant.”
Comey met with Secret Service officials in Washington this month for an interview about his “86 47” Instagram post, two sources briefed on the meeting told Fox News.
Comey is under investigation for the now-deleted Instagram post that showed seashells arranged on a beach to read “86 47.” (RELATED: Trump Accuses Comey Of Inciting Violence With 86 47 Instagram Post)
Comey attempted to offer an explanation for the post after he received backlash on social media.
“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” the subsequent post from Comey said. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
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This type of threat cannot be tolerated. The FBI needs to investigate, charge and indict, and convict. Stop it before it goes any further.