A Perkasie man faces up to 12 years in federal prison after a grand jury indicted him on two counts of threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
Aaron Michael McComsey, 44, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 15 and charged with threatening to assault, kidnap or murder a federal official, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia, as first reported by the Bucks County Courier Times. The indictment identified the target only as "Congressman B.F."
Fitzpatrick, a Republican representing Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District, which includes Doylestown, Buckingham and Perkasie, confirmed Friday, Oct. 16 that he was the target. He thanked the U.S. Capitol Police, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office in a written statement.
"Threats of violence against anyone, under any circumstances, are never acceptable," the statement said.
The indictment alleges McComsey sent threatening emails to Fitzpatrick's office over two days in August. McComsey allegedly wrote that his health insurer had dropped him, that Medicare did not cover his medications and that Medicaid was refusing to pay, according to the indictment.
In an Aug. 4 email, McComsey allegedly demanded Fitzpatrick transfer $6,000 to his cash app for medications. He threatened to come after the congressman if his situation was not resolved.
The following day, McComsey allegedly emailed again, claiming he had the congressman's schedule for the rest of the summer and into the fall. He set a 12-hour deadline for $6,000 and allegedly demanded the same amount every month going forward.
McComsey also allegedly wrote: "Can't wait for the next eagle scout graduation. That's his end," according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Fitzpatrick is an Eagle Scout.
The indictment alleges McComsey threatened to assault and murder Fitzpatrick with the intent of interfering with the representative while he performed his official duties.
In his statement, Fitzpatrick noted that he co-chairs the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force in Congress and has made strengthening the mental health system a priority.
It was unclear as of Oct. 15 whether McComsey had a lawyer, the Inquirer reported. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said the U.S. Capitol Police investigated the case, with assistance from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.
McComsey faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison if convicted, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Anyone with information about threats to a member of Congress can contact the U.S. Capitol Police at (202) 224-0908.
