A man from Texas admitted in a Boston federal court that he threatened a doctor known for providing care to transgender individuals, specifically those in the pediatric community. Matthew Jordan Lindner of Comfort, Texas, pleaded guilty to the felony charge of interstate transmission of threatening communication after he was accused of leaving a chilling voicemail for a doctor connected to the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center in Boston.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that the 39-year-old Lindner was charged on December 2, 2022, and later indicted by a federal grand jury. He was brought to accountability after authorities say he tried to sow fear with hateful rhetoric. "You sick motherf*****s, you’re all gonna burn. There’s a group of people on their way to handle [victim]. You signed your own warrant, lady. Castrating our children. You’ve woken up enough people. And upset enough of us. And you signed your own ticket. Sleep well, you f****** c***," Lindner was cited as saying in an August 31 voicemail.
The hostility towards the Boston medical community was ignited by falsehoods spread via the internet regarding gender-affirming procedures at Boston Children’s Hospital. Following the voicemail, Lindner continued his attempt to intimidate the victim by contacting the doctor's former workplace and a university where the doctor taught.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy condemned the act, stating, "Hate and bigotry have no place in Massachusetts. Our office will stop at no end to protect the safety of all members of our community." Levy's words underscored a commitment to justice for those who perpetrate hate-laden crimes against healthcare workers who, in their mission to help, become targets of vitriol and threats. In response to the guilty plea, Senior U.S. District Judge William G. Young has set the sentencing for February 6, 2024.
Lindner is facing up to five years in prison, with the possibility of three years of supervised release and a steep fine of up to $250,000. His sentence will be handed down by the federal district court judge, based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and related statutes.
