Two men from outside of Georgia are facing federal charges after allegedly threatening violence against a Homeland Security deportation officer and his wife on social media. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia released a statement on the indictment, revealing the nature of the accused's online activities.
"Federal agents deserve to perform their duties free of harassment from keyboard warriors and other agitators," U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said, according to the Department of Justice. "Threatening law enforcement officers and their families is not only illegal—it’s disgusting. My office will ensure that anyone who threatens a federal agent in North Georgia, or who hides behind a computer screen to intimidate that agent’s immediate family, is found, arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable."
The defendants, New York resident Anthony Patrick Noto, 63, and Frank Andrew Waszut, 41, from Tennessee, were indicted for their alarming statements on Instagram. Waszut reportedly posted a video on the platform identifying the ICE officer and advocating for public harassment, while Noto allegedly targeted the officer's wife with his comment suggesting she’d make "a pretty good target" for a firearm test.
Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta Paul Brown also weighed in on the gravity of the threats: "Threats of violence against law enforcement officers and their families are not only reprehensible, but also a direct attack on the safety and integrity of our justice system," he said. The charges aim to send a clear message that such behavior will meet full prosecution. Notably, Waszut is already in custody in Texas on separate charges for threats against Republican lawmakers, demonstrating a pattern of his egregious behavior.
As the case moves forward, the public is reminded that these indictments are merely charges. Both Waszut and Noto are considered innocent until proven guilty, and it falls on the government to establish their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in court. The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI, is ongoing, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Eric White are taking the lead in prosecution.
