LI Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill Senators

SMITHTOWN, NY - A Smithtown man pleaded guilty in court on Thursday for threatening to murder and assault two U.S. senators for showing their support for the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, according to U.S. attorney Richard P. Donoghue.

Ronald DeRisi, 74, entered his plea in federal court in Central Islip before United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco.

In September and October of 2018, DeRisi called and left more than 10 threatening voice-messages at the offices of the two senators.

When DeRisi was arrested in October 2018, members of law enforcement recovered the prepaid cellphone that had been used to make the threatening calls, as well as live ammunition during the execution of a search warrant.

As part of his plea agreement with the government, DeRisi will forfeit two rifles to the United States.

When sentenced, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

The New York Post identified the two senators as Republicans Chuck Grassley and Susan Collins.

The threats in the voice messages were apparently made to discourage both senators from supporting the nomination and/or as retaliation for having voted to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, the U.S. attorney said.

According to the Donoghue, DeRisi details the content of some of the expletive-laced recorded voice-messages.

For example, in the first of two voice messages left for one of the senator on Sept. 27, DeRisi said that he had a "present" for the senator, stating, in part, "It's a nine millimeter. Side of your … skull …." DeRisi concluded with "Yeah, Kavanaugh – I don't think so."

In a voice-message left for for the other senator on Oct. 6, DeRisi allegedly stated, in part, "… you better pray this guy don't get in…." Less than an hour and a half later, DeRisi called the same senator again and left a message stating, in part, "I'm gonna get you."

"This defendant threatened to assault and murder two sitting United States senators in an effort to intimidate them and interfere with their performance of official duties," Donoghue said. "Ours is a system of laws – not threats – and the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute those who seek to undermine the integrity of our constitutional system through violence."