Cape Man Sent Racist Emails To Philadelphia PD Commissioner: Feds

DENNIS, MA — A West Dennis Man was arrested after federal authorities said he sent threatening and racist emails to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. Peter Fratus, 39, was arrested and charged under federal law that prohibits transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce.

According to federal prosecutors, Fratus sent two emails to Outlaw which contained racist, offensive and threatening language. Prosecutors said one of the emails asked where Outlaw lives.

An FBI investigation determined that the emails came from Fratus, prosecutors said. Federal prosecutors said forensic evidence reinforced that Fratus sent both emails.

"As alleged in the criminal complaint, Peter Fratus’ racist threats towards Commissioner Outlaw were vile and disturbing," U.S. Attorney McSwain said in a statment. "We take such threats very seriously, and let this be a warning to anyone who might feel the urge to fire off an online threat directed at a public official: we will trace your digital footprint, track you down and hold you accountable."

After his arrest, Fratus appeared at U.S. District Court in Boston Tuesday, prior to his transfer to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said it will file a motion seeking detention of Fratus pending trial.

"While the First Amendment gives us the right to express our own opinions, violent physical threats are certainly not protected speech," said Michael Driscoll, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia division. "When someone threatens the life of another person, it's a clear red flag, and we have to take their despicable words at face value."

If convicted, Fratus faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.