CA Man Charged With Threatening Family Of Congressman, Journalist

CALIFORNIA — A California man was arrested Tuesday after he was reportedly charged with sending threatening text messages to family members of a New York City-based congressman and journalist, federal authorities said.

Robert Lemke, 35, of Bay Point is an avid supporter of former President Donald Trump and reportedly sent violent text messages on Jan. 6, the same day the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a swarm of Trump's supporters, according to federal procesecutors.

Lemke was reportedly "dissatisfied with the results of the 2020 Presidential Election and subsequent statements about the election made by a U.S. congressman and journalist," Manhattan Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a Tuesday statement released by the Department of Justice.

"Words are putting you and your family at risk," Lemke texted this message to a relative of the unnamed journalist, according to court documents. "We are nearby armed and ready. Thousands of us are active/retired law enforcement, military, etc. That’s how we do it."

Prosecutor said Lemke sent more text messages to the unnamed congressman's brother on the same day, reciting the congressman's statements regarding the results of the election. The text message also reportedly included a photo of a home in his brother's neighborhood.

"Your brother is putting your entire family at risk with his lies and other words. We are armed and nearby your house," Lemke texted, according to court documents. You had better have a word with him. We are not far from his either. Already spoke to [the Congressman’s son] and know where his kids are."

In another text to the congressman's sister-in-law, Lemke reportedly said: "calm your husband down . . . . We saw on the hidden camera, he was quite stirred up. You need to have him talk to [the Congressman]."

Authorities said Lemke continued in another text message to the lawmaker's brother, texting, "Biden did not win, he will not be president. We are not white supremacists...We have armed members near your home...Don’t risk their safety with your words and lies."

These cryptic messages prompted law enforcement to investigate Lemke, who reportedly claimed he was a retired Air Force captain and Alameda County Sheriff's Sergeant, according to the criminal complaint.

However, the Pentagon denied Tuesday afternoon that Lemke ever served with the Air Force. What's more, Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office told NBC News "that man never worked here."

Lemke's Facebook account had a background image of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the couple charged with criminal offenses last year after pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protestors as they passed by their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Folks. Be ready for war," Lemke posted to his Facebook on Nov. 7, according to court documents. "Trump has refused to cede. Evidence shows fraud occurred and the Supreme Court cases will be successful. We blockchained and watermarked ballots in 16 states. Trump will prevail.[] Spread this message. . . . FAITH my fellow Republicans. Do not give up. Keep an eye out for a variety of protests, and Stop The Steal Facebook groups for updates."

The East Bay man was charged with making threatening threats through text messages, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, according to the Department of Justice's Southern New York district.

"Lemke’s alleged threats, aimed at the family members of a sitting U.S. Representative and a journalist, crossed a bright line," William F. Sweeny Jr., FBI assistant director-in-charge wrote in a statement Tuesday. " The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is always on watch, and we act with speed to stop violence - whether the threat comes from within our borders or from outside them. That's how we do it."

Anyone with additional information for the case was urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.