Trump attorney Alina Habba leaves New York Supreme Court on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 in New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman)
A man from Florida faces accusations of threatening the life of acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, allegedly desiring her to endure a “slow and painful death.”
Salvatore Russotto, 58, made the threats on May 19, interim U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Gregory W. Kehoe announced on Friday.
He is charged with one count of threatening to harm and kill a victim and making threats in retaliation against a federal law enforcement officer.
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Per the indictment, the individual from Orlando allegedly made multiple online posts wishing harm upon Habba, a vocal attorney who represented former President Donald Trump between his administrations.
The posts included calling Habba a vulgar word and calling for someone to “86” her, a slang term that, according to Merriam-Webster, means “get rid of,” but which is often used more maliciously — to mean “kill.”
Russotto is also alleged to have called Habba “useless” and a “traitor.”
“Death penalty for all traitors,” one post reads, adding, “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH.”
A direct motive for the alleged posts was not given.
The term “86” became a matter of national attention when, in May, former FBI Director James Comey wrote on Instagram, “cool shell formation on my beach walk” in accompaniment of a photo that showed shells in the formation of the numbers “86 47.”
Trump supporters took the message to mean he was calling for Trump to be assassinated, as Trump is the 47th president, especially because of their fractured relationship. Comey wrote in a follow-up post that he was not calling for any violence.
Still, the situation heightened the alert of federal investigators, with both the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service launching an investigation into the post, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced at the time.
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to reference Comey’s post while denouncing Russotto’s alleged actions.
“This is yet another disturbing example of a dangerous copycat inspired by the reckless behavior of former officials, targeting those who serve our country and threatening the very people working to keep America safe,” Patel told Fox News Digital. “Our FBI will not tolerate political violence in any form.”
