New Orleans Man, 77, Indicted on Charges of Making Interstate Threats Against VA Hospital

A 77-year-old New Orleans man, identified as John Powell, has been indicted on charges of making interstate threats against the Veterans Affairs Hospital in New Orleans, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans last Friday; Powell allegedly called the National Veterans Crisis Hotline with a harrowing threat to commit violence against its employees, as per U.S. Attorney's Office.

The indictment stems from an incident where Powell, expressing his wrath in a phone call, vowed to kill as many employees of the Veterans Affairs Hospital in New Orleans as he could, such expressions of violence are stark, considering the hospital’s role in assisting those who have served the nation, and if convicted of the federal charge pertaining to interstate threat communications, Powell could face serious consequences, including up to 5 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000, not to mention a mandatory $100 special assessment fee, which indicates the severity with which the justice system treats threats of this nature.

In response to the indictment, U.S. Attorney Evans did not hold back in commending the swift actions of the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General alongside the Veterans Affairs Police, who together spearheaded the investigation into Powell’s chilling threat; the case is now set to proceed with Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit taking the helm of the prosecution according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.