A 27-year-old Kent resident has been arrested, charged with two counts of making interstate threats for his online posts regarding members of President Trump’s family as well as ongoing threats to bomb synagogues and threats made against media figures in Southern California, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran.
Here’s more from the attorney’s office:
CHASE BLISS COLASURDO, was arrested May 1, 2019 and will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle at 2:00 PM Thursday May 2, 2019.
According to the criminal complaint, in March 2019, a member of the public reported to the FBI concerns about Instagram and other social media posts where COLASURDO threatened to execute members of President Donald Trump’s family. Additionally, COLASURDO sent messages to five different media organizations that he was going to execute the family member. COLASURDO posted a photo on Instagram showing a hand with a firearm pointed at the photo of a Trump family member. When initially contacted by law enforcement in March, COLASURDO claimed his social media accounts had been hacked.
Despite his statements that he was not responsible for the posts, COLASURDO continued to make threatening comments, specifically threats to members of the Jewish community. In one post he wrote it was time to start “bombing synagogues.” As law enforcement continued to track his activity, it became clear he was purchasing various items related to firearms such as a holster, bulletproof vest and ammunition. COLASURDO attempted to purchase a firearm but was denied.
FBI agents arrested COLASURDO without incident about 11:30 AM on May 1, 2019.
The charges contained in the complaint are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the charges are proven in court beyond a reasonable doubt.
Interstate threats are punishable by up to five years in prison and three of supervised release.
The case is being investigated by the FBI in conjunction with an investigation by the Los Angles Police Department. The case in the Western District of Washington is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
