Montana Man Sentenced for Threats Against Kevin McCarthy

Key Points:

• Richard Rogers, 45, faces sentencing for threatening former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
• The threat arises from frustrations over a Chinese spy balloon incident.
• Maximum penalty includes 6 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Rogers' defense advocates for probation instead of prison time.

Background of the Case

Richard Rogers, a resident of Billings, Montana, will be sentenced in federal court for threatening to assault former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This incident stemmed from Rogers' irritation over the government's handling of a Chinese spy balloon that passed over his city.

Conviction Details

Rogers was found guilty last year of threatening a member of Congress and making harassing phone calls. His calls often included vulgar and obscene comments directed towards the FBI and congressional staff.

Potential Sentencing Outcomes

The threat against McCarthy carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison along with a hefty fine. However, since Rogers has no prior criminal record, his defense team has requested a more lenient probationary sentence.

Nature of the Threat

On February 3, 2023, Rogers made over 100 calls to McCarthy's office in a span of 75 minutes, expressing his fury over the spy balloon situation. The Pentagon had confirmed it was tracking the balloon, which was subsequently shot down off the Atlantic Coast.

Rogers' Justification

During his trial, Rogers claimed that his calls were an act of "civil disobedience." His lawyer argued that Rogers simply wanted to express his views and be heard.

Prosecution's Argument

The prosecution aims to impose a sentence that serves as a strong warning against threats to public officials, asserting that the First Amendment does not protect such behavior. They have recommended a two-year prison sentence.

Trends in Threats Against Officials

In recent years, threats made against public officials in the U.S. have significantly increased. Rogers' case is a part of a larger trend, with over 8,000 threats against lawmakers investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police in 2023.

In similar cases, another Billings man received a 2.5-year federal prison sentence for leaving threatening voicemails directed at former Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester.