A Lynn man is facing federal charges after allegedly issuing threats to an elected official, officials announced. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts issued a press release last Thursday, revealing that 50-year-old Justin David Gaglio was arrested on a complaint charge of transmitting interstate threats.
Gaglio, who appeared in court for the first time on September 27, is still in custody after a detention hearing. According to the charging document, he allegedly sent over 80 messages to an unnamed elected official through their website starting in January 2023. His actions appeared to escalate, with him sometimes sending multiple messages in a short period.
The situation worsened on September 8, when Gaglio allegedly threatened to murder an elected official and their family via a message on the official's website. If convicted, this charge could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Authorities, including Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen, have acknowledged the teamwork in the arrest. The U.S. Capitol Police, Massachusetts State Police, and police departments from Lynn and Salem also assisted. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter from the National Security Unit.
It’s important to remember that these charges are just allegations, and the justice system presumes Gaglio innocent until proven guilty. More details and updates on the case can be found through the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.
