AG Bondi announces arrest in Benny Johnson threatening letter case

US Legal professional Common Pam Bondi mentioned a “coward hiding behind a keyboard” was arrested this week for allegedly sending a threatening letter to conservative influencer Benny Johnson within the wake of Charlie Kirk’s homicide.

George Isbell Jr., 69, was taken into custody Tuesday in San Diego, California. In response to Bondi, he can be federally charged with sending threatening messages. On his web site, Johnson mentioned he lives in Tampa, Florida, the place the arrest announcement was made Friday.

“Benny is a widely known media character, who carries a message similar to Charlie’s. Primarily based largely on religion and love of nation. Simply days after Charlie’s homicide, Benny obtained a letter at his dwelling the place he and Kate are elevating their stunning, stunning younger household,” Bondi mentioned. “The writer of this letter made it very clear that he hated Benny due to his views, and that he needed Benny lifeless.”

“This was a coward who hid behind a keyboard and thought he might get away with this. That is why we’re standing right here in the present day. You may’t get away with threatening individuals like this. And I am proud to announce that we’ve got arrested the writer of this letter,” Bondi added.

BONDI ISSUES CLEAR WARNING TO COPYCATES AFTER KIRK AND ZARUTSKA MURDERS

Conservative influencer Benny Johnson (proper) has reportedly obtained a threatening letter within the wake of the homicide of Charlie Kirk, Legal professional Common Pam Bondi introduced Friday, October 10, 2025. (Joe Raedle/Getty Pictures; Charly Tribelleau/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)

See also  Former Eastpointe elementary teacher denied bond in child porn case

She beforehand mentioned that “we’ve got seen a horrific cycle of political violence on this nation.”

“We will catch you in the event you suppose you are able to do one thing like this,” Bondi declared. “We do not care if you’re throughout the nation in California, we’ll discover you. We’ll arrest you, we’ll extradite you and we’ll deliver you to justice. We can not permit this political violence to proceed any longer. This arrest can be a reminder to many: Do not do that. We’ll discover you.”

U.S. Legal professional Gregory Kehoe for the Center District of Florida instructed reporters Friday that Johnson “instantly contacted” Tampa police after receiving the letter. The FBI and Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement assisted within the investigation, whereas the US Postal Service decided the letter originated in San Diego, California, Kehoe added.

BONDI ANNOUNCES ‘NEW ERA OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE’ AS FEDERAL AGENTS GO TO ICE FACILITIES NATIONAL

Legal professional Common Pam Bondi speaks throughout a roundtable on Antifa with President Donald Trump within the State Eating Room of the White Home, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP/Evan Vucci)

Fingerprints obtained from the letter led investigators to Isbell, in accordance with Kehoe.

“In response to the grievance, on or about September 18, Isbell despatched a letter from San Diego threatening to injure his sufferer, a media character in Tampa, Florida, and telling his sufferer that the sufferer ‘should be exterminated,’” the Justice Division mentioned in an announcement Friday.

“Within the letter, he referred to one of many sufferer’s pals, Mr. Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who had not too long ago been murdered throughout a public assembly on a school campus. After writing that he hoped the American flag would “strangle the life out of you,” the letter went on to say, “Possibly somebody will blow your head off!!! We will hope! Planning public occasions? I really like seeing your head explode and your blood turns the concrete purple. What a sight!'” Division added.

If convicted, Isbell faces a most sentence of 5 years.

Johnson instructed Fox Information Digital on Friday afternoon: “The principle query right here is, how many people need to die? And, you realize, till individuals take it severely?”

Talking with Bondi in Florida, Johnson mentioned: “I do not need political violence. I would like peace in my nation.”

Benny Johnson speaks throughout a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025. (Daniel Cole/Reuters)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“I really like this nation. I would like to have the ability to debate like Charlie did. I would like to have the ability to increase my household in peace. That’s our birthright. However as a Christian you can’t make peace with evil. You can’t unite with individuals who need you lifeless. I would like unity on this nation,” he added.