DAYTON, Ohio — A Dayton man was arrested by federal agents for allegedly threatening to kill a U.S. Congressman in a profanity-laced voicemail about potential cuts to Medicaid, prosecutors announced Friday.
Jeffrey Dorsey, 60, formerly of Columbus, was taken into custody Thursday evening and appeared in U.S. District Court in Dayton Friday afternoon following the unsealing of the case.
According to charging documents, Dorsey called the congressman’s main office line and left a threatening voicemail warning of violent retaliation if the lawmaker voted to reduce Medicaid funding.
In the message, Dorsey stated: “If you vote to take my fing Medicaid away, I’m gonna cut your fing head off…But I tell you this, clearly to your brain, if you f** with my Medicaid, you’re a dead f***.”*
He has been charged with making interstate communications containing a threat to injure—a federal offense that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
“The FBI takes all threats seriously,” said FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “Threats to harm others, including public officials, will never be tolerated.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Saunders.
