Topline: The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of threatening to kill the New Jersey U.S. Attorney in what officials call a “true threat of violence.”
Published: July 1, 2025 6:00 am ET
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Photo via Alina Habba
on X (formerly Twitter)
ORLANDO, FL — A Florida man is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to kill Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, in a string of violent online posts that prosecutors say were intended to intimidate a federal law enforcement officer.
The Justice Department announced the indictment Friday, charging 58-year-old Salvatore Russotto of Orlando with making interstate threats and retaliating against a federal official.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Russotto posted multiple threats on May 19, 2025, from an account linked to him. Among the statements attributed to Russotto were: “A slow painful death for HABBA,” “Eliminate HABBA. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors,” and “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH.” One post referred to the victim using a slur, stating, “86 that b—-.” In several instances, Russotto allegedly used the term “86,” a phrase law enforcement interprets as meaning “get rid of” or kill.
Though the indictment does not name the victim, Fox News Digital confirmed that the person targeted was Habba, who previously served as a legal advisor to former President Donald Trump before taking on her role as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe of the Middle District of Florida announced the charges, noting the gravity of threats aimed at federal officials. FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the concern, telling Fox News Digital the case was part of a growing trend of politically charged threats directed at public servants. “This is yet another disturbing example of a dangerous copycat inspired by the reckless behavior of former officials,” Patel said. “Our FBI will not tolerate political violence in any form.”
Patel further criticized the impact of recent political rhetoric on law enforcement operations. Referring to a social media post made last month by former FBI Director James Comey that read “86 47”—interpreted by some as a call to eliminate the 47th president—Patel said the FBI has since been forced to divert agents to investigate similar threats.
“Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists… because people are popping up on social media and think a threat to the life of the president of the United States is a joke?” he said. “That’s what I’m having to deal with every single day.”
While the FBI declined to disclose how many “copycat” threats have emerged since Comey’s post, an agency official told Fox News Digital that the number is “significant” and part of ongoing investigations.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Florida Man Indicted for Threats Against U.S. Attorney Alina Habba
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of threatening to kill the New Jersey U.S. Attorney in what officials call a “true threat of violence.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 1, 2025 6:00 am ET
Photo via Alina Habba
on X (formerly Twitter)
ORLANDO, FL — A Florida man is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to kill Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, in a string of violent online posts that prosecutors say were intended to intimidate a federal law enforcement officer.
The Justice Department announced the indictment Friday, charging 58-year-old Salvatore Russotto of Orlando with making interstate threats and retaliating against a federal official.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Russotto posted multiple threats on May 19, 2025, from an account linked to him. Among the statements attributed to Russotto were: “A slow painful death for HABBA,” “Eliminate HABBA. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors,” and “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH.” One post referred to the victim using a slur, stating, “86 that b—-.” In several instances, Russotto allegedly used the term “86,” a phrase law enforcement interprets as meaning “get rid of” or kill.
Though the indictment does not name the victim, Fox News Digital confirmed that the person targeted was Habba, who previously served as a legal advisor to former President Donald Trump before taking on her role as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe of the Middle District of Florida announced the charges, noting the gravity of threats aimed at federal officials. FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the concern, telling Fox News Digital the case was part of a growing trend of politically charged threats directed at public servants. “This is yet another disturbing example of a dangerous copycat inspired by the reckless behavior of former officials,” Patel said. “Our FBI will not tolerate political violence in any form.”
Patel further criticized the impact of recent political rhetoric on law enforcement operations. Referring to a social media post made last month by former FBI Director James Comey that read “86 47”—interpreted by some as a call to eliminate the 47th president—Patel said the FBI has since been forced to divert agents to investigate similar threats.
“Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists… because people are popping up on social media and think a threat to the life of the president of the United States is a joke?” he said. “That’s what I’m having to deal with every single day.”
While the FBI declined to disclose how many “copycat” threats have emerged since Comey’s post, an agency official told Fox News Digital that the number is “significant” and part of ongoing investigations.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Man Indicted for Threats Against U.S. Attorney Alina Habba
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of threatening to kill the New Jersey U.S. Attorney in what officials call a “true threat of violence.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 1, 2025 6:00 am ET
Photo via Alina Habba
on X (formerly Twitter)
ORLANDO, FL — A Florida man is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to kill Alina Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, in a string of violent online posts that prosecutors say were intended to intimidate a federal law enforcement officer.
The Justice Department announced the indictment Friday, charging 58-year-old Salvatore Russotto of Orlando with making interstate threats and retaliating against a federal official.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Russotto posted multiple threats on May 19, 2025, from an account linked to him. Among the statements attributed to Russotto were: “A slow painful death for HABBA,” “Eliminate HABBA. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors,” and “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH.” One post referred to the victim using a slur, stating, “86 that b—-.” In several instances, Russotto allegedly used the term “86,” a phrase law enforcement interprets as meaning “get rid of” or kill.
Though the indictment does not name the victim, Fox News Digital confirmed that the person targeted was Habba, who previously served as a legal advisor to former President Donald Trump before taking on her role as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe of the Middle District of Florida announced the charges, noting the gravity of threats aimed at federal officials. FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the concern, telling Fox News Digital the case was part of a growing trend of politically charged threats directed at public servants. “This is yet another disturbing example of a dangerous copycat inspired by the reckless behavior of former officials,” Patel said. “Our FBI will not tolerate political violence in any form.”
Patel further criticized the impact of recent political rhetoric on law enforcement operations. Referring to a social media post made last month by former FBI Director James Comey that read “86 47”—interpreted by some as a call to eliminate the 47th president—Patel said the FBI has since been forced to divert agents to investigate similar threats.
“Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists… because people are popping up on social media and think a threat to the life of the president of the United States is a joke?” he said. “That’s what I’m having to deal with every single day.”
While the FBI declined to disclose how many “copycat” threats have emerged since Comey’s post, an agency official told Fox News Digital that the number is “significant” and part of ongoing investigations.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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