MIAMI, FL – A Miami man has pleaded guilty to making an online death threat against a sitting U.S. senator, federal prosecutors said.
Court documents show that 39-year-old Walter George Bechtel III posted the threat on June 9 using an account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The post included a direct statement vowing to kill the senator and referenced the lawmaker’s wealth and political record.
When questioned by law enforcement, Bechtel admitted to sending the message and confirmed his intent to harm the official.
Man faces up to five years in federal prison
Bechtel pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transmission of threatening communications. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18.
He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district judge will determine the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section is leading the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton is prosecuting the case.
A Miami man faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to threatening to kill a U.S. senator online.