(OurNationNews.com) A Texas native who threatened to kill Democratic California Representative Maxine Waters has been sentenced to 33 months imprisonment in a federal jail.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Gary Klausner against 61-year-old Houston native Brian Michael Gaherty. Gaherty pleaded guilty in January to a single count of threatening an official of the United States. Aside from his prison sentence, he will also be fined $10,000.
In his plea agreement, Gaherty admitted to making threats to assault and kill the California representative on multiple occasions. He said that he made the threats in 2022, within the period of August to November. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Gaherty’s threats came in the form of four voicemails left at district office of Waters in Los Angeles, where he used misogynistic and racist language, along with profanity and threats to commit violent acts against her. In his messages, Gaherty threatened to “put a cap” between Waters’ eyes, “stomp” her, and “cut [her] throat”. He was also warned to leave Waters alone, but he persisted in leaving threatening messages, and even escalated his threats because Waters reported him to law enforcement.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Gaherty made an effort to intimidate and interfere with Waters’ fulfilment of her official duties as a public official.
Judge Klausner also found that Gaherty had specifically made Waters his target because she is black, a hate-crime that was factored into the sentenced he received.
Gaherty’s lawyer, Joseph Vinas, said that his client was “very apologetic” over the incidents. Vinas also said that he believes that Gaherty suffers from mental health issues due to his being a victim of violence himself. In court, Gaherty also asked for forgiveness from Waters and apologized to all who were affected by his actions. As he was being led away be court marshals, Gaherty told reporters that he has “no hatred” in his heart.
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