A Cape Cod resident is in hot water after being charged with making violent threats against a high-profile federal official and their family members; Michael P. Mahoney, 62, from South Dennis was arrested following an investigation into a phone call that conveyed these menacing intentions. According to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mahoney is facing one count of transmitting interstate threats to injure a person, which carries a potential five-year prison sentence, three years supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000.
The incident that triggered the arrest occurred last Friday, when Mahoney allegedly made a phone call around 10:15 p.m. to a relative of this federal official at dinner outside of Massachusetts, during the call which the relative answered, after confirming their identity Mahoney purportedly screamed threats of murder towards the relative, their spouse, and the federal official, no sooner had the relative hung up but Mahoney allegedly attempted a second call but was not answered. Law enforcement secured call records from the relative's phone service showing Mahoney's number as the one initiating these threatening calls.
Officials, including U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and FBI's Boston Division head Jodi Cohen, announced the arrest, stating that Mahoney was apprehended and is set for his initial federal court appearance in Boston. On the heels of the incident, law enforcement attempted to contact Mahoney at his residence but were met with a refusal to open the door or answer the phone, amplifying the concern around his alleged threats.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadine Pellegrini, who leads the National Security Unit, is on the prosecution team for this case which underscores the gravity of threats made against public servants and their families; which has been met with an efficient and necessary response by the FBI and local police led by Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble of the State Police and Dennis Police Chief John Brady. The principles of justice in America continue to hold that Mahoney is assumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
