Benny Johnson, a Conservative influencer, received a life threat in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, prompting an investigation. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Friday that they have taken into custody a 69-year-old man who sent the letter. George Isbell Jr was taken into custody on Tuesday in San Diego, California and he will be federally charged with mailing a threatening communication, Bondi said.
"Benny is a well-known media personality, carrying a message very similar to Charlie's. Grounded largely in faith and love of country. Just days after Charlie's assassination, Benny received a letter at his home where he and Kate are raising their beautiful, beautiful young family," Bondi said. "The author of this letter made it very clear that he hated Benny because of his views, and he wanted Benny dead."
"This was a coward hiding behind a keyboard who thought he could get away with this. That's why we're standing up here today. You are not going to get away with threatening people in this way. And I'm proud to announce that we have arrested the author of this letter," Bondi added.
"We are going to catch you if you think you can do something like this," Bondi declared. "We don't care if you're across the country in California, we will find you. We will arrest you, we will extradite you, and we will bring you to justice. We cannot allow this political violence to continue any longer. This arrest will serve as a reminder to many — do not do this. We will find you."
'You are Charlie Kirk Jr'
The threat letter had a mention of Charlie Kirk who was assassinated at the Utay Valley University on September 10. "In the letter, he referenced one of the victim’s friends, Mr. Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who had recently been killed during a public engagement on a college campus. After writing that he hoped that the American flag ‘strangles the life out of you,’ the letter went on to state: ‘Maybe someone will blow your head off!!! We can hope! Planning any public engagements? Love to see your head explode and your blood stain the concrete red. What a sight!’" the Justice Department added.
Isbell had been previously under investigation for sending at least one other threat to a Louisiana politician in 2021.
"Benny is a well-known media personality, carrying a message very similar to Charlie's. Grounded largely in faith and love of country. Just days after Charlie's assassination, Benny received a letter at his home where he and Kate are raising their beautiful, beautiful young family," Bondi said. "The author of this letter made it very clear that he hated Benny because of his views, and he wanted Benny dead."
"This was a coward hiding behind a keyboard who thought he could get away with this. That's why we're standing up here today. You are not going to get away with threatening people in this way. And I'm proud to announce that we have arrested the author of this letter," Bondi added.
"We are going to catch you if you think you can do something like this," Bondi declared. "We don't care if you're across the country in California, we will find you. We will arrest you, we will extradite you, and we will bring you to justice. We cannot allow this political violence to continue any longer. This arrest will serve as a reminder to many — do not do this. We will find you."
'You are Charlie Kirk Jr'
The threat letter had a mention of Charlie Kirk who was assassinated at the Utay Valley University on September 10. "In the letter, he referenced one of the victim’s friends, Mr. Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who had recently been killed during a public engagement on a college campus. After writing that he hoped that the American flag ‘strangles the life out of you,’ the letter went on to state: ‘Maybe someone will blow your head off!!! We can hope! Planning any public engagements? Love to see your head explode and your blood stain the concrete red. What a sight!’" the Justice Department added.
Isbell had been previously under investigation for sending at least one other threat to a Louisiana politician in 2021.
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