Austin Suman, a 35-year-old man from South Carolina, has been arrested for making racist death threats towards a reporter from New York. He has been charged with willfully making threats involving explosives and interstate stalking, which could result in a maximum of 20 years in prison. Suman sent threatening messages to the reporter via Facebook and email, using derogatory language and racial slurs. The threats were in response to an article written about Suman in February 2019, where he was accused of threatening a roommate with a gun. In his messages, Suman claimed to have more guns and made violent threats against the reporter and their family. Prosecutors emphasized that threats against the press are a priority and warned that individuals who make hate-based threats will be held accountable for their actions. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated that those who cross the line and threaten members of the press will be found and faced with consequences. It is unclear if Suman has retained an attorney at this time.
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