Feds: LI man threatened to shoot senators over Kavanaugh vote

SMITHTOWN, NY (1010 WINS) -- A Long Island man is under arrest for allegedly threatening to kill two U.S. Senators for supporting Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination.

“Representative democracy cannot work if elected officials are threatened with death for simply doing their job,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “The First Amendment - the pinnacle of American achievement - protects debate, disagreement and dissent, not death threats."

— US Attorney EDNY (@EDNYnews) October 19, 2018

“Representative democracy cannot work if elected officials are threatened with death for simply doing their job,” United States Attorney Donoghue said.

Authorities say several threatening voicemails that were left for the senators came from a pre-paid cellphone, but were eventually traced to 74-year-old Ronald DeRisi of Smithtown.

The voicemails allegedly detailed plans to shoot at least one of the senators. In a message left on Septermber 27, he told a senator that he had a 'nine millimeter presesnt' for the side of his skull. He's also accused of telling the other senator, 'I'm gonna get you.'

Officials say DeRisi was identified through phone records and voice samples.

DeRisi was due in court Friday afternoon. There was no word as to which senators were targeted.