Federal prosecutors have indicted Dean DelleChiaie, a contractor for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in New Hampshire, for making threats to kill President Donald Trump. This case is the most recent in a series of incidents involving purported threats against the US President.
The event occurs as recent studies show a significant increase in violent rhetoric aimed at US public officials, especially Trump, in recent years, coinciding with recent security concerns in Washington, Newsweek reported.
The arrest on Monday took place just over a week following the charging of a gunman with attempted assassination of the President after he tried to breach the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, highlighting the tangible dangers associated with rising threats.
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Who is Dean DelleChiaie? 5 things to know
Authorities have identified Dean DelleChiaie, a 35-year-old FAA contractor and mechanical engineer residing in Nashua, New Hampshire, who is accused of sending a direct threat to the White House following several months of online behavior that attracted the scrutiny of federal investigators.
As per court documents, DelleChiaie used his government-issued computer in January to research methods for bringing a firearm into a federal facility, past assassination attempts, and the proportion of the population that desires the president’s death. Additionally, he searched for the location of Vice President JD Vance’s home and the names of his children, along with other sensitive details regarding senior officials, which heightened concerns among investigators.
These searches led the FAA’s IT department to notify authorities after DelleChiaie requested the deletion of his search history, as indicated in court records, resulting in his suspension from employment.
Federal investigators conducted an interview with DelleChiaie at his residence in early February, during which he confessed to conducting the searches and remarked that it was “crazy” to do so on his work computer, according to an affidavit. He also admitted to possessing three firearms and expressed his dissatisfaction with the administration over various issues.
‘I am going neutralize/kill you,’ says DelleChiaie
While he expressed regret and claimed he had no intention of executing an attack, prosecutors assert that DelleChiaie subsequently intensified his actions. On April 21, he sent an email to the White House with the subject line “Contact the President,” in which he identified himself and stated his intention to “neutralize/kill” Trump.
“I, Dean DelleChiaie, am going neutralize/kill you – Donald John Trump – because you decided to kill kids – and say that it was War – when in reality – it is terrorism. God knows your actions and where you belong,” he allegedly stated.
Further information in the affidavit outlines writings found in his residence that refer to intentions to travel to Washington.
“The United States Secret Service is leading the investigation. The Nashua Police Department has provided valuable assistance,” DOJ said in a statement.
If found guilty, DelleChiaie could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison along with a fine of $250,000.
