John Woodbury, 34, of Roswell, Georgia, was arrested on July 18 and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Catherine M. Salinas Woodbury later that same day.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9 on charges of threats by interstate communications and threats to a federal law enforcement officer.
It’s not clear whether Mr. Woodbury entered a plea or if he has legal representation.
The Epoch Times has contacted the DOJ for further comment.
The DOJ has accused Mr. Woodbury of threatening violence against FBI Wray and others in a post on the online forum 4chan.org on June 2, 2023. The post also mentioned Mr. Wray’s family, the department said.
The DOJ did not name the other individuals.
The message on the forum read “Let’s show them what a [expletive] ‘Nazi’ […] looks like […]” and “It’s time to burn these [expletive] down and hang them from trees,” according to the DOJ.
He also posted further messages stating, “Hit them where it [expletive], Hit Chris at his home,” and “Make his family fear stepping one foot outside their [expletive] door,” according to the indictment.
Mr. Woodbury also allegedly threatened to assault, kidnap, and murder Mr. Wray, with the intent to “impede, intimidate, and interfere” with the FBI Director on account of the performance of his official duties, according to the indictment.
Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, said in a statement that sending threats to physically harm a public official as part of efforts to “thwart the administration of justice” is a criminal offense.
“Director Wray and other law enforcement officials work tirelessly to safeguard our freedoms and to protect our citizens from harm,” he said. “Threats against such public servants, who have dedicated themselves to enforcing our criminal laws, is especially heinous.”
This case is being investigated by the FBI.
The increase corresponds with growing polarization following the 2016 presidential election, the report noted.
