Man Charged With Threatening Hispanic NY News Reporter And Her Family

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — A South Carolina man is facing charges after prosecutors said he sent racist messages and death threats to a Hispanic New York television news reporter.

Austin Suman, 35, was arrested Friday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and charged with threatening interstate communications for allegedly sending a series of violent and slur-ridden messages to an unidentified journalist based in Orange County, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.

In the messages, prosecutors said Suman also threatened the reporter's family and said he would blow up her house.

“The charges against the defendant demonstrate our resolve to work at lightning speed to neutralize threats against the press — which serves a vital role in our democracy," U.S. Attorney Damien Williams said.

He continued, "To any individual who dares to cross the line and make hate-based threats against members of our press: you will be found, and you will be held accountable for your actions."

According to court documents, Suman targeted the reporter to file a "personal grievance" against her for writing a story about his previous arrest. Prosecutors said Suman was arrested in February 2019 for threatening his roommate with a firearm, which resulted in authorities confiscating his guns.

On Nov. 8, prosecutors said Suman emailed the reporter and sent her messages via Facebook stating, "You are a dumb s---k, we [are] coming for you” and “I will end you and your family."

Suman also called the reporter a "dumb Mexican" and threatened to blow up her house, prosecutors said.

According to court documents, Suman added that his guns were returned and told the reporter, "Guess what I have now? More [guns] than you or your family might know" and "We are going to deport your family all of them . . . [u]seless life."

Suman was also charged with willfully making a threat involving explosives and interstate stalking. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison.