After launching a barrage of hateful threats against a reporter, a man from South Carolina is now being charged with federal offenses for his violent, racist rant.#South Carolina #MyrtleBeachSC #News #Crime
MYRTLE BEACH, SCA — The FBI has detained a 35-year-old South Carolina man who reportedly threatened a reporter in New York with hostile and violent messages. The journalist was accused of being harassed by Austin Suman of Myrtle Beach since she had previously covered his arrest a number of years prior. The alarming threats, which are rife with gender and ethnic epithets, have rocked the press community and sparked grave worries about journalists’ safety.
FBI Charges Suman With Violent Threats and Stalking
Austin Suman faces multiple federal charges, including threatening interstate communications, which could lead to up to five years in prison. In addition, he faces charges of interstate stalking, which carries a possible penalty of five years in prison, and knowingly creating an explosives threat, which carries a maximum punishment of ten years. These accusations are related to a string of hostile emails and Facebook messages that Suman reportedly addressed to the reporter on November 8, 2024.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York claims that Suman used violent and graphic language in his threats. FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy stated, Austin Suman allegedly made numerous threats and ethnic slurs to a local news reporter to file a personal grievance against her for her previous reporting of his prior arrest. He continued by highlighting the gravity of the threats, which were purportedly made in an intimidating and discriminatory manner.
Disturbing Details of the Threats
Suman allegedly sent communications that were full of explicit threats and racial and gender-based epithets. He allegedly wrote, “You are a dumb spick, we [are] coming for you,” in one of his messages. He then made the terrifying announcement, “I will kill you and your family.” Suman also threatened to blow up the reporter s house, saying, I can blow your house off [its] foundation tread lightly.
Suman further escalated the situation by boasting about his firearm collection, stating, I have more guns than ever, and even mentioning that some were ful[ly] auto[matic]. His hate-filled messages included multiple references to the reporter s ethnicity and gender, calling her a [D]umb Mexican and a dumb fuckin c**t. He also sent multiple racial slurs targeting people of Hispanic, Latin American, or Spanish descent.
The Reporter s Past Coverage Led to the Threats
The disturbing threats appear to be directly linked to a past article written by the reporter several years ago. The piece covered Suman s arrest for threatening a former roommate with a firearm, a situation that resulted in his guns being confiscated. According to authorities, Suman s grievances with the reporter date back to this coverage, leading him to lash out in a series of hateful, violent messages.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams spoke about the case, stressing the importance of holding those who threaten journalists accountable. He said, 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. Williams added that anyone who crosses the line with hate-based threats against journalists will be found and held accountable for their actions.
The FBI continues to investigate the case, underscoring their commitment to protecting journalists from online threats and violence.
FBI Sends Clear Message
Austin Suman s arrest highlights the dangerous consequences of online threats and the disturbing trend of harassment aimed at journalists. With the serious charges he faces, the case serves as a strong reminder that those who target members of the press will be held to account for their actions. The FBI s swift response sends a clear message: violent threats will not be tolerated, no matter how they are delivered.
RELATED TOPICS:Crime|South Carolina|New York
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