BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) – A Cambridge man is under arrest for offering money to kill an Immigration Custom Enforcement agent on social media.
Federal Officials from the U.S Attorney Office, FBI and Homeland Security announced Thursday that Brandon J. Ziobrowski, 33, of Cambridge has been charged in an indictment unsealed Thursday with one count of use of interstate and foreign commerce to transmit a threat to injure another person.
He was arrested in New York City by federal authorities without incident.
Officials say that in July Ziobrowski allegedly tweeted to his followers on Twitter, “I am broke but will scrounge and literally give $500 to anyone who kills an ice agent, @me seriously who else can pledge get in on this let’s make this work.”
Ziobrowski also allegedly repeatedly tweeted his desire to "slit" Sen. John McCain's throat.
According to Andrew Lelling, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts said that the charge of use of interstate and foreign commerce to transmit a threat to injure a person carries a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
Lelling says this case highlights the difference between free speech and intentionally inciting violence. "There is a line you don't cross," he said.
Stay with WBZ NewsRadio1030 as this story develops.