A man from Billings, Montana was found guilty on Wednesday of threatening former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy after expressing frustration over the government’s failure to take down a Chinese spy balloon that flew over his home city.
Richard Rogers, 45, made over 100 calls to McCarthy’s office in just 75 minutes on Feb. 3, 2023, following the Pentagon’s acknowledgment of tracking the spy balloon, which was later shot down off the Atlantic Coast.
In addition to the threat to McCarthy, Rogers was also convicted of making harassing calls to an FBI tip line in 2021 and 2022.
During the trial, Rogers claimed that his calls were a form of “civil disobedience,” protected under the First Amendment’s right to petition the government for grievances.
However, prosecutors argued that Rogers’ actions crossed the line with threats and abusive language towards government officials.
Rogers faces up to six years in prison for threatening a member of Congress and additional penalties for harassment.
Despite the guilty verdict, Rogers maintained his innocence and expressed dissatisfaction with his defense attorneys.
The case underscores the rise in threats against public officials, with Rogers being one of many individuals investigated for similar offenses.
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