Politics & Government
Amherst Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening Politicians
Ryder Winegar of Amherst pleaded guilty to several counts of threatening members of Congress and a New Hampshire state representative.
CONCORD, NH — A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty to seven counts in court after threatening both local and federal politicians.
Ryder Winegar, 34, of Amherst pleaded guilty on Friday to six counts of threatening members of Congress and a single count of transmitting interstate threatening communications. He was accused of calling six members of Congress on Dec. 16, 2020, leaving voicemail messages, while also identifying himself and leaving his phone number, too. The voicemails threatened to “hang the members of Congress” if they did not “get behind Donald Trump,” according to court testimony. In one message, as an example, Winegar said, “I got some advice for you. Here’s the advice: Donald Trump is your president. If you don’t get behind him, we’re going to hang you until you die.”
Two days before, Winegar emailed and threatened a state representative. He was arrested on Jan. 11 and indicted in U.S. District Court in February. Winegar is expected to be sentenced in December.
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“Ryder Winegar crossed a line when he threatened to hang six members of Congress, and a New Hampshire state lawmaker, if they didn’t conform to his beliefs,” Joseph Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said. “His actions, to which he admitted to today, are crimes, not protected speech. The FBI will ensure individuals who engage in criminal conduct with the intent on harming our public servants are held accountable."
Acting-U.S. Attorney John Farley said intimidating public officials was conduct that was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
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“While political expression is protected speech, threats to commit acts of violence constitute serious federal crimes,” he said. said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.
The case was investigated by U.S. Capitol Police with assistance U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Amherst Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.
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