A New Jersey man has been arrested and charged for making death threats against a political commentator, federal authorities announced Wednesday.
Haim Braverman, 45, said in a social media video that he was “threatening a death sentence against” the commentator, the Justice Department said. The subject was not named in charging documents.
“If I could f–king kill you right now, I would not even…f–k it I’ll give you the steel bat. I wouldn’t even stop. I’d kill you. Dead,” Braverman said, according to the feds.
Braverman was referring to a steel baseball bat he had nicknamed “Brooklyn Crusher,” investigators said. He also had several combat knives in his possession, authorities said. Photos of the weapons were included in charging documents.
According to the feds, Braverman made the threats on Sept. 10 after the commentator discussed a prominent, now-deceased rabbi.
“[The commentator] said something about him that is the most disgraceful thing to an old man who to his dying day stood up and listened to people, and the divinity of who he is is the reason why I have him hanging up in my house,” Braverman said in his video, according to the feds.
In previous social media chats, Braverman had also ranted about pro-Palestinian protesters in New York City, authorities said. In one post, he allegedly wrote, “How would you like a f–king steel bat shoved into your f–king skull? Cause that what’s gonna f–king come to you.”
Braverman was formally charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He made his initial court appearance Tuesday and was remanded into custody.