Rio Verde Man Gets 15-Month Sentence for Threatening Federal Officials

An Arizona man has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for making violent threats against elected officials and law enforcement. Michael Lee Tomasi, a 38-year-old from Rio Verde, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Dominic Lanza.

Tomasi will also serve three years of supervised release and pay a $100 fine for his social media posts on patriots.win, where he advocated for violence against officials, including threats to kill an FBI agent and other public servants. In a particularly alarming post from August 2023, he stated, “Shoot the FBI first and ask questions later,” indicating his willingness to engage in violence.

In December 2022, the FBI arrested Tomasi and discovered over 5,000 rounds of ammunition, several firearms—including an AR-15 style rifle—and body armor in his possession. The court has ordered that his weapons and ammunition will not be returned.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the sentencing, noting the severity of Tomasi’s threats. “What has happened is that he will spend 15 months in federal prison,” Garland stated in a news release, underscoring the importance of accountability for such behavior.

Initially charged with multiple counts, Tomasi pleaded guilty to one count of threatening public officials. He faced a potential maximum of 15 years in prison but ultimately received a lesser sentence.

FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed strong disapproval of threats against FBI personnel. He emphasized the risks that agents take in their efforts to safeguard the public, stating, “I take it very personally that anyone would threaten FBI personnel.”

U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino reiterated that threats against public officials will be prosecuted. He distinguished between free speech and incitement to violence, stressing the importance of civil discourse in a democracy. Restaino asserted, “We will continue our efforts to prosecute those who make true threats against public officials and law enforcement officers.”

Research indicates a troubling increase in political violence and threats against public figures, particularly at the local level. Experts cite factors such as heightened partisan divisions and a rise in violent political rhetoric as contributing to this phenomenon.