Florida Man Charged for Threatening Former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James
By The Vagabond News | November 6, 2025
A Florida man has been arrested and charged with making violent threats against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court this week.
The Allegations
Federal prosecutors allege that the suspect, identified as Michael A. Peterson, 45, from Tampa, sent a series of threatening emails and online posts directed at the two public officials. The complaint says Peterson’s messages contained explicit death threats and violent rhetoric tied to recent political developments involving former President Donald Trump and ongoing investigations into his business dealings.
Investigators say the threats were “direct, credible, and repeated,” prompting swift action by federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI’s Tampa Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Targets: Comey and Letitia James
Comey, who led the FBI until 2017, has long been a lightning rod for political controversy following his handling of the Clinton email probe and early stages of the Russia investigation. Meanwhile, Letitia James, New York’s Attorney General, has been at the forefront of the civil fraud case against Trump and the Trump Organization — a point believed to have triggered Peterson’s anger, according to court filings.
The messages reportedly included language accusing both officials of “treason” and threatening to “make them pay” for “crimes against America.”
Federal Response and Legal Proceedings
Peterson was taken into custody on Monday and appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge in Tampa on Tuesday. He faces federal charges of transmitting threats to injure another person, a felony that carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years per count.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the arrest but declined to comment on specifics, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Wider Context: Rising Threats to Public Officials
The case underscores a troubling surge in violent threats against political and law enforcement figures across the United States. A recent FBI bulletin noted a 35% rise in such cases since 2022, driven by polarized political rhetoric and online radicalization.
Experts warn that public officials — particularly those linked to high-profile cases involving Trump — continue to face heightened security risks.
Next Steps
Peterson is currently being held without bond pending a detention hearing later this week. Court documents suggest prosecutors may seek a psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental state.
Both Comey and Letitia James have not issued public statements regarding the threats.
Related Links:
- FBI: Domestic Threats to Officials on the Rise
- NY AG Letitia James vs Trump Civil Fraud Case – Full Timeline
- Federal Statutes on Threats Against Public Officials – DOJ Archive
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